By Associated Press
Sycamore, AL – Arson investigators with state and federal agencies are trying to determine what caused a fire that gutted a small rural church near the Sycamore community. The weekend blaze destroyed the Rocky Mount Baptist Church and its Sunday school annex. Church members discovered the charred remains when they arrived for Sunday services just before 10 a-m. Talladega County Chief Deputy Jimmy Kilgore said the fire occurred between 6:30 p-m Saturday and 9:30 a-m Sunday. Pastor Dennis Elliott said it is hard for him to believe the fire was started by natural causes or an electrical problem. He said the power had been shut off and there were no storms in the area. The state Fire Marshal's Office and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms are investigating. The Sycamore community is located near the Clay County line.