Cobb Church Fire: Woman Faces Arson In Prayer City Blaze

AUSTELL, GA — A woman has been arrested in connection with a blaze that burnt Prayer City Eagles Chapel International Ministries, Austell Fire said Thursday.

Police arrested Aries Jordan, 25, and charged her with arson in connection with the fire that occurred around 9 p.m. Monday at the Joe Jerkins Boulevard church, fire officials said. No one was injured.

When firefighters arrived, officials said they found flames bursting through the roof of the 33,000-square-foot building. It took crews about 19 hours to extinguish and investigate the fire, as well as clean up, fire officials said.

RELATED: Blaze Burns Cobb Church, Partly Collapses Roof

With the help of state fire investigators, fire officials said they were able to identify Jordan as a suspect. They added she briefly interacted with leadership at Prayer City in the past.

Jordan was then located at a Mableton apartment complex, fire officials said. She was arrested on charges of first-degree arson, burglary, criminal damage to property, terroristic threats, possession of tools for the commission of a crime and criminal trespass, fire officials said.

"The City of Austell is committed to assisting the church in their recovery and rebuilding efforts," fire officials said in a news release.

Though there were no injuries, Prayer City Senior Pastor Raphael Grant wrote a letter to his congregation, saying the church building was a loss.

"It's hard to see the place (where) we've worshipped, celebrated and grieved together now gone. It's okay to feel the loss, I do, too. But let's remember: the church isn't the building. It's us. The Spirit of God lives in His people, and that can't be destroyed," Grant wrote.

"We will rebuild, not just the building, but the community and faith that make us who we are. Already I've heard from so many of you offering prayers, help and encouragement. That's the church in action, and it's beautiful. ... hold on to this: we have each other, and we have Jesus, our constant in every storm."

Fire officials did not specify what led to the blaze.