FBI probing series of arson in African American churches in US

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has reportedly launched a probe into a series of fires that ravaged a number of African-American churches across the southern part of the U.S. to ascertain if the blazes were related.

Last week, fires were reported in six black churches in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. While three were ruled arson attacks, the others are still being investigated, reported the BBC.

FBI spokesman Paul Bresson said that they were being probed to determine the motive behind the incidents and the perpetrator.

Although no one was hurt in the blaze, the churches were completely destroyed.

The incidents took place just a week after nine people were shot dead by a white gunman in an African American church in South Carolina's Charleston in what police called a racially motivated attack.

The killing fuelled a debate about race relations and over the significance of the Confederate flag in the US.