TYLER, Texas — The number of suspicious fires at churches in east Texas has climbed to seven as federal investigators join state and local authorities in seeking clues to two blazes in Tyler, Texas.
The latest fires were at Tyland Baptist Church and First Church of Christ, Scientist, both in Tyler. Tyland is the third Southern Baptist church to burn in what investigators believe is a string of arsons. Both fires took place the weekend of Jan. 16–17.
On Jan. 12, Lake Athens Baptist Church, Athens, about 65 miles southeast of Dallas, was one of two churches in that town heavily damaged by what investigators believe were arson fires set in the early morning hours. The week before that, another church near Athens was apparently torched.
In Van Zandt County, located between Athens and Tyler, arson also is suspected in two fires set in early January, one at Little Hope Baptist Church, Canton, on New Year’s Day.
Authorities in the three affected counties are being aided in their investigation by the Texas state fire marshal’s office and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Authorities first suspected burglary as a motive at the Athens churches, said Athens Assistant Police Chief Rodney Williams, but the investigation is ongoing.
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