Fayetteville church fire sparks bizarre mystery

Ron McKinnon was working on the roof of Noland Faith Chapel Thursday afternoon when the building caught fire under him.

"A big pile of smoke coming and then another big pile of smoke coming out," he said. "You start hearing the windows crack and break, that is when I called the fire department."

The small church, located on Rim Road, suffered significant fire damage in the sanctuary and smoke damage throughout the entire building, fire officials said.

McKinnon later found out there was a 13-year-old boy inside, which surprised him because he didn't see anyone enter or leave the church. He added that a back side window that was previously closed was opened just before the fire.

The teenager was taken to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center with minor injuries.

WRAL News talked with a man who identified himself as the boy's father. He said the boy had been missing since last night and that he was held at the church by a group of people who restrained him and started the fire.

Authorities have not confirmed the boy's story but said the fire is suspicious. The State Bureau of Investigation is also looking into the incident, which is standard in church fires.