Suspect arrested for Washington County church fire

State insurance officials announced the arrest of a suspect in connection with a June fire that destroyed a church in Washington County. 31-year-old Kevin Tanner of Warthen,Georgia has been charged with first-degree arson, burglary, and false statements and writings. Officials say property belonging to the Holly Springs Baptist Church was found in the home of Tanner.

Fire in northwest Georgia destroys church

A third church fire in less than two weeks is being investigated this morning. This blaze broke-out in northwest Georgia--in Kingston, about 12 miles east of Rome. A spokesman from the state Insurance and Fire Commissioner’s office says the fire began around 2 a-m this morning and destroyed the Faith Baptist Church in Kingston. A dozen firefighters were called to fight the blaze. No injuries were reported at the site of the small church, off of U-S 411 in Bartow County.

This fire comes just over a week after fires destroyed two churches on June 28th. Those occurred in Washington County, east of Macon. Officials determined those fires to be the work of arsonists. Officials say it's too early to make a connection to this morning’s blaze in Kingston.