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Suspect Arrested In Cape Cod Church Arson

Police have arrested a man they believe set a fire that destroyed a Cape Cod church.

According to the state fire marshal's office, 29-year-old Adam Finnegan of Brewster was arrested Friday night and will be charged with one count of burning a building. There's no word on whether he has an attorney.

Earlier Friday, a spokeswoman for the state fire marshal's office said the blaze at the Cape Cod Bible Alliance Church in Brewster, which broke out around 3 a.m., was intentional. There were no injuries.

Officials said there's no indication the fire is connected to other arsons investigated in southeastern Massachusetts.

Myron Heckman, pastor of the church since 1978, said Finnegan was not a church member.

"He did a very destructive act," Heckman said. "I hope that he recognizes how destructive it was, how senseless and pointless it was, and how damaging it was. At the same time, we're gonna be praying for him that they'll be redemption for him."

Heckman said the building, renovated in 1997, "holds a lot of memories" but is just a building.

The 320-member church is affiliated with the Christian and Missionary Alliance. Its members travel internationally to set up churches and help the needy.

With reporting by The Associated Press and the WBUR Newsroom

This article was originally published on December 01, 2012.

This program aired on December 1, 2012. The audio for this program is not available.

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