CBS 19 - The Eye of East Texas News - ATF: No tip is too small in East Texas church fires
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by Anthony Austin
(KYTX) TYLER - ATF, the FBI and the Texas Rangers are searching for clues in the two latest church fires to plague East Texas.
Monday night, fire destroyed the Dover Baptist Church on FM 1995 near Highway 110 North around 8:45 pm. An hour later, fire struck the Clear Spring Missionary Baptist Church on County Road 426.
CBS 19's Anthony Austin has been on the ground at the scene of both fires since late Monday night. Fire investigators tell him that it appears someone broke into both churches, and it seems to be the way the culprit or culprits are making their way into these houses of worship.
Tuesday, crews were out looking for any other similarities or differences that may exist.
"All we can say right now is that with these two fires, with everything going on in East Texas, it's probably going to be related," said agent Clay Alexander.
When the sun rose Tuesday morning, ATF investigators gathered on the grounds of two burned East Texas churches. The group is searching for clues, while answering the questions of concerned church members.
"Why can't they catch somebody? That's what bugging me."
"It could be a single person acting alone, it could be more than one, it's just hard to tell," said Alexander.
Similarities, such as break-ins, seem to be a common factor in the string of church fires.
But differences also exist, such as time and location. Clay Alexander with the Tyler Bureau of the ATF says it appears whoever is setting the fires is becoming bolder.
"The locations are very public areas. I wouldn't say sloppy, but they're not trying to hide too much."
For example, Dover Baptist Church, is located next to a major highway, while the Clear Spring Missionary Baptist Church is located on a more secluded county road.
"I believe that with a lot of prayer, standing on one accord, we're going to get something accomplished."
Pastors like Brandon Owens pray that an end will come to these church fires, while fire investigators make a plea to the public.
"We're going to have to rely on the public to help us, too."
Alexander says there is no tip too small or unimportant. It could be your watchful eye that solves the case. "We think someone the general public knows, a neighbor, a friend, a co-worker...someone probably knows who did this."
The reward offered leading to the capture of the person or persons responsible for the church fires has increased from $10,000 to $25,000. Law enforcement says that they are investigating a number of leads in connection to the case.
You can call any of the numbers below with information.
There have now been eleven church fires since late December in East Texas, with seven confirmed as arson cases. In the order they happened, those are:
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