Arrested for arson of a church

Gulfport police made an arrest following a church fire early this morning at First United Methodist Church.

- gulfport police made an arrest- following a church fire - early this morning at first - united methodist church.- 27 year old blake bagwell is- being charged with arson and- three counts of burglary.

- he is being held on a 150 - thousand dollar bond.

- gulfport fire responded to the- church on 15th street at 4- am, and noticed heavy smoke - inside the sanctuary.

- they made entry into the church- and brought the fire under- control within 10 minutes of- arriving on scene.- the damage was minimized to a - 10'x10' area.

- because it involved a church, - the state fire- marshall is participating in th- investigation along with the- gulfport police department.

- police say, the fire is in no - way connected to some of the- recent tensions