SFMO, ATF Lead Arson Investigation Into Dover Church Fire

NASHVILLE – Agents from the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) Bomb & Arson Section and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in conjunction with local law enforcement and fire authorities are investigating the potential causes of a fire at a church in Dover on Thursday morning.

Firefighters extinguished a blaze around 5:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 25, 2016 at St. Paul United Methodist Church on Natcor Drive. The fire is being investigated as arson but a cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

The team is utilizing various resources such as accelerant detecting canines and certified fire investigators to determine a possible cause of the fire.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call Dover Police at (931) 232-5907 or call the Tennessee Arson Hotline at 1-800-762-3017. The Arson Hot Line is a phone line dedicated to receiving information about suspicious and incendiary fires. It is answered 24 hours a day and you may remain anonymous when providing information. Cash awards are offered for information leading to an arrest or conviction.

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