North Fayette's troubled Chariots

of Fire Ministries has experienced some more trouble $200,000 in damage

from a fire authorities are listing as "suspicious."

"It's still under ...

a joint investigation of the Sheriff's Department" and the county

Department of Fire and Emergency Services, said fire department spokesman

Capt. Pete Nelms Tuesday. "Because of the ongoing investigation we

are not able to release any additional information at this time."

Flames engulfed the ministry's

home at 1660 Ga. Highway 138 at 3 a.m. Monday. No one was home and there

were no injuries.

A motorist using a cell phone

reported the blaze, according to Nelms, who added that the first firefighters

responding arrived less than six minutes later and reported flames through

the roof and the structure "well involved in fire."

Firefighters worked more than

two hours to bring the fire under control, said Nelms.

Clayton County firefighters

helped with the fire under a mutual aid agreement with Fayette.

The home is owned by Luther

Graham, bishop of Chariots of Fire, and has been used to house Graham's

family as well as offices for the ministry, which works to find jobs and

shelter for homeless people.

Failure of the property's septic

system last year prompted Graham to ask Fayette County to allow Clayton

County to provide sewerage to the home, but county commissioners refused.

Graham filed suit and lost.

Ministry supporters have searched

for a solution to the septic problems, but to no avail. According to county

health officials, the property's soil will not absorb the septage.

Nelms said investigators are

hoping to wrap up the investigation in a week or so.

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