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'666' Spray-Painted On Jehovah's Witnesses Building In Latest Arson Fire

SAN DIEGO (CBS) — A Southland worship facility has been intentionally set on fire for the second time in 10 days, authorities said Friday.

KNX 1070's Tom Reopelle reports investigators also uncovered what could be evidence of a hate crime at the scene.

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The two fires have caused an estimated $500,000 in damages to the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses located in the 2000 block of Adams Avenue, according to Lee Swanson of the San Diego Fire Department.

Investigators also found graffiti scrawled on the building's wall following the latest fire on Thursday night.

"'666' was spray-painted on the building," said Swanson.

However, officials have yet to determine whether the graffiti constitutes a hate crime.

"At this point, what we know is it's a fire, it's an arson," Swanson said. "You need a preponderance of evidence to determine motivation or you need a suspect to figure out the motive."

The first fire was apparently set by burglars to destroy evidence of a break-in, Swanson said.

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