CBS 19 - The Eye of East Texas News - Monday church fires set deliberately, says ATF

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SMITH COUNTY

Monday church fires set deliberately, says ATF

Posted: Updated:
A firefighter looks on as the Clear Springs Missionary Baptist Church burns Monday. (courtesy Tyler Morning Telegraph) A firefighter looks on as the Clear Springs Missionary Baptist Church burns Monday. (courtesy Tyler Morning Telegraph)

by Cathryn Khalil

Update: Investigators have determined that Monday night's fires at Dover Baptist Church and Clear Spring Missionary Baptist Church were set deliberately. The ATF announced the findings on Wednesday night. That brings the total number of church arsons in the East Texas area since late December to nine (full list below).

The reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the series of church fires in East Texas has now been raised to $25,000. You can call any of the numbers below with information.

  • 1-888-ATF-FIRE
  • (903) 675-0061
  • (903) 675-0062

There have now been eleven church fires since late December in East Texas, with nine confirmed as arson.  In the order they happened, those are:

  • First Baptist Church of Kerens - Corsicana
  • Little Hope Baptist Church - Van Zandt County
  • Faith Baptist Church - Athens
  • Grace Community Church - Athens
  • Lake Athens Baptist Church - Athens
  • Tyland Baptist Church - Tyler
  • First Church of Christ, Scientist - Tyler
  • Fellowship Church of Prairie Creek - Lindale
  • Russell Memorial United Methodist Church - Wills Point
  • Dover Baptist Church - Carrol
  • Clear Spring Missionary Baptist Church - Carrol

Click here to see an interactive map of all the East Texas church fires.

No injuries have been reported.

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