BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Investigators say a fire that destroyed a North Dakota church recently purchased by a white supremacist was intentionally set.

The state fire marshal’s office says  the fire was started by an “open flame device” near a door of the former Zion Evangelical Free Church in Nome.

Craig Cobb bought the century-old building for $8,000 and estimates his total loss at more than double that amount because he had moved in some furniture.

The fire marshal’s report says the building had no electrical service or heat. New locks were installed one day before the fire.

Cobb is serving four years of probation for terrorizing and menacing residents of Leith in 2013. He currently lives in Sherwood, and says he has no plans to keep the property in Nome.

 

Previously

Nome  (CSi)  White supremacist Craig Cobb believes a fire that destroyed an abandoned church he recently bought in Nome, was arson. The 108 year-old building is the former Nome Zion Evangelical Lutheran church.

Cobb says it’s obvious to him that the fire was intentionally set, and that he considers the fire a direct threat on his life.

Cobb is offering a $2,000 reward for information related to this fire.

Cobb says there was nothing flammable in the church and there was no electricity connected.

He says he bought the building for $8,000 and believes the total loss is doubled because he had moved in some furniture.

Cobb currently lives in Sherwood, North Dakota and says he has no plans to keep the property in Nome.

Barnes County Sheriff Randy McClaflin says the state fire marshal will investigate the cause of the fire