Man is held over black church fires

A man has been arrested over suspicious fires at three historic black churches in southern Louisiana.

US Attorney David C. Joseph described the fires as “despicable acts”. The suspect has been identified as Holden Matthews, a 21-year-old white man and son of a local sheriff ’s deputy. he was reportedly turned in by his father.

The fires came within ten days at similar sites – rural, African American churches fronting small cemeteries. Each was gutted by flames, and each was more than 100 years old, with mostly African American congregations. No-one was injured.