The Knoxville area is having an abnormally dry spring and summer. We are in the first stage of drought. Yes if hay bales were left there {I'm assuming for decoration or landscaping} they would likely go up from a cigarette or if green hay spontaneous combustion.
A few miles north of Knoxville a few years ago a motel burned due to mulch they think. When I was growing up in the 1960's I remember several church fires in Knoxville within about a year. All white churches.
I also remember a scandal over a church fire in Knoxville. It was a church Reggie White was a co=pastor of. Reggie was a good man perhaps who trusted others too much. But this is an interesting read. I remember the scandal. Church's pastor sentenced for drugs, funds gone
Also churches are vulnerable to arsonist from Kooks who have some mental disorder and churches are easy lower risk targets. Most of them burn though due to undetected issues in the churches wiring or HVAC system etc. They can burn quite a while inside and not be detected. Gas leaks especially in rural churches happen as well.
With wood construction and their spire creating a perfect flue, a church building can create quite a spectacular fire. A rural location allows plenty of time before the fire is reported and fire equipment can be brought to bear.
And a lot of rural churches in the south are "predominantly black" churches.
Accordingly, there is a history of church burnings--caused by arsonists without any racist motive.
I’m just south of Knoxville and we are finally getting some much needed rain this week. I have been watering the garden for a long time. I have also seen plenty of hay fires.
Many older churches don’t have “modern” fire alarm systems either so fires can burn for much longer before being dected. I know of one are son church fire where they build had pull stations and a few smoke alarms but it was not monitored by a alarm company. The fire was only reported Wien it was blowing out e 1st and 2nd floor windows.