Fires Destroy Texas Churches

A string of fires at 8 east Texas churches has area congregations worried. The churches are no more than 150 miles apart and have all caught fire since the first of the year. Fire officials say the first 7 were set deliberately and the 8th is a possible arson as well. It took place just this past Thursday. No one has been injured but no one has been arrested either. The average loss has been a quarter-of-a-million dollars. While authorities haven’t tied the fires together, many people are assuming they are related. Some were Baptist, one was nondenominational and another Christian Scientist. The first happened in Athens on January first. After two more in the same city, there were two churches in Tyler set ablaze, then another in Temple and one in Lindale. This week’s fire took place in Wills Point. Police have increased patrols and members of congregations are on the alert.