Cleveland church fire deemed an act of arson, arrests expected: Fire Department

The massive fire that destroyed Friendship Baptist Church in Cleveland last week has been deemed an arson and investigators are working on arrest, fire officials said Tuesday.

The church, which was built in the 1890s and had been vacant for years, was completely gutted during an early morning blaze on Aug. 21 that sent debris and smoke up in the air for blocks.

The Cleveland Fire Department said that its investigation into the fire determined the cause incendiary and labeled it an arson.

"The motives are not believed to be financial. This was not a fire set for insurance money or to acquire the land," Lt. Mike Norman told ABC News in a statement.

Norman said that investigators "are making progress and arrests are expected," and the warrant process is ongoing.

No injuries were reported during the fire, which Norman estimated last week to be a $500,000 loss.

The church was originally the Willson Avenue Temple and in 1924 the building was sold to Mount Zion Congregational Church, according to historical records. In 1940, it was sold to Friendship Baptist Church, which conducted services for decades.

Nearby residents have been flocking to the church site and placing flowers and other cards since the fire.

"It was surreal. To see it in rubble, to see, to see it torn down like this -- it's heartbreaking," Genevieve Mitchell told ABC affiliate WEWS.