Investigators Say Oktaha Church Fire May Have Been Set To Conceal Burglary

OKTAHA, Okla. (AP) _ Muskogee County investigators think a fire that consumed an Oktaha church two weeks ago was an attempt to conceal a burglary. <br/><br/>Sheriff's investigator Randy Perryman says

Saturday, October 28th 2006, 7:57 am

By: News On 6

OKTAHA, Okla. (AP) _ Muskogee County investigators think a fire that consumed an Oktaha church two weeks ago was an attempt to conceal a burglary.

Sheriff's investigator Randy Perryman says there were signs of forced entry on the door to the New Hope Baptist Church, but church officials have been unable to determine whether anything was taken because of fire damage.

Meanwhile, investigators have determined the cause of another recent church fire.

A September 13th blaze at the First Baptist Church in Wetumka was started by faulty wiring inside at the base of an electric box. The church was built in 1927 and had the original wiring.

Mayor Clark Chastain says services are being held at a church building that already was under construction at the time of the fire.