Authorities in Alaska are investigating an arson attack on the home church of state governor Sarah Palin.

Mrs Palin said the attack may have been motivated by “undeserved negative attention” over her unsuccessful Republican vice-presidential bid, according to the Press Association.

Fire Chief James Steele said Friday night’s attack on the Wasilla Bible Church was being treated as arson.

No one was hurt in the fire, which started at the entrance to the church when a few people, including two children, were inside the building.

The blaze, which triggered the church’s fire alarm, caused considerable damage to the 1,000-member evangelical church, estimated at one million dollars ($670,000).

Mrs Palin, who was not at the church when the attack happened, visited the site on Saturday. Her spokesman, Bill McAllister, said Mrs Palin had told an assistant pastor she was sorry if the fire was linked to the “undeserved negative attention” the church had received after she became John McCain’s running mate at the end of August.

The church came under fire for running a conference to help homosexual men and women overcome their same-sex attractions.

“Whatever the motives of the arsonist, the Governor has faith in the scriptural passage that what was intended for evil will in some way be used for good,” said McAllister.