DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – An arson investigation is underway after a fire caused $5,000 worth of damage at a Volusia County church, the Daytona Beach Fire Department said.
Someone intentionally set a fire in Master's Domain Church around midnight Thursday then put it out, according to a news release. The pastor called the fire department around 7:30 a.m. Thursday. By that time, church workers had already begun cleaning up the damage.
The fire caused approximately $5,000 worth of damage to an interior hallway. The Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations and the ATF are conducting an investigation.
"It is protocol to include ATF in arson investigations that occur at a church because fires that occur at a church could be considered a federal hate crime," the news release read.
No one is in custody.
Officials said the church is bank-owned and not used for regular services, although church dinners and other functions are occasionally held in the building.
Individuals have been known to live in the church on and off, but it's unknown if anyone was living in the building when the fire was set.
Anyone with information regarding the investigation is asked to call the Arson Tip Hotline at 1-877-NOARSON (1-877-662-7766).