An early morning fire at the Briar Creek Road Baptist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, is being investigated as arson, officials report. Although there is not yet an indication the alleged crime was motivated by hate, the church's 85-member congregation is predominately black and racist motivations have not been ruled out. #UPDATE: Fire at east Charlotte church ruled arson http://t.co/ROHipn5Ti7 #CLTNews pic.twitter.com/8p1q2EN8DP — NBC Charlotte (@wcnc) June 24, 2015 More than 75 firefighters responded to the fire; damages are estimated at a quarter of a million dollars.