Arson in Gary draws FBI probe

GARY -- Federal agents joined the investigation of an arson that damaged a newly constructed Habitat for Humanity home in a predominantly white neighborhood a week before a black family was to move in.\nAgents from the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives on Monday joined Gary police in investigating the fire that damaged the home in the Black Oak neighborhood early Saturday. The fire was ruled to be arson.\nFBI agent Charles Porucznik said the fire is being reviewed as a possible civil-rights violation.\nSomeone had spray-painted "KKK" on a Habitat for Humanity sign on the lot during construction, the Post-Tribune of Merrillville, Ind., reported Tuesday.\nHabitat for Humanity, which was founded in 1976, builds homes for poor families.\nPam Pazera, executive director of its northwest Indiana chapter, said the group's board would determine what to do with the home once damage reports are complete.\n"There is no need to feel anger against the 3 people who did this; they need our prayers a lot more," Pazera said. "They will have to answer to God for this."\nInitial reports estimated the damage at $10,000 on the $95,000 home, but Police Chief Garnett Watson said Monday the cost for repairs might be much higher.\nWatson said burn patterns inside the home indicated someone forced their way in and poured an accelerant inside before setting it on fire.\n"It's a hate crime, but it's also a crime against that community," he said.