TYLER, Texas (AP) — An arson investigation involving at least eight Texas churches expanded today hours after two more houses of worship went up in flames in the Tyler area.
Smith County Fire Marshal Jim Seaton says investigators "would just like to find out why this is going on and please stop it."
No injuries were reported in the blazes last night at Dover Baptist Church and Clear Spring Missionary Baptist Church.
Arson investigators hours earlier announced a fire Thursday at a church in Wills Point That increased to seven the number of church fires in east Texas, since Jan. 1, ruled arson.
Also, federal agents concluded arson caused a fire last month that destroyed the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church in Temple.
Dover Baptist recently took precautions because of so many church fires. The staff barred the church doors and installed "dummy," inoperable video cameras above the main doors.
___
Information from: Tyler Morning Telegraph, http://www.tylerpaper.com
Information from: KLTV-TV: http://www.kltv.com
