2 More East Texas Churches Burn Overnight

CARROLL, Texas - Two more suspicious church fires burned late Monday night in an east Texas county, bringing the total of churches burned since the beginning of the year to 10.

Firefighters say this time, both churches in Smith County were destroyed overnight.

The first call came around 9 p.m. to the Dover Baptist Church in the community of Carroll, about 78 miles southeast of Dallas. The pastor says other than a few papers in a locked safe, the building is a total loss.

That pastor says he had been checking his church more often because of the recent breakout of church fires in East Texas.

Less than an hour after this fire was reported, a second fire broke out just a few miles away at the Clear Springs Missionary Baptist Church.

The roof of that building finally caved in, despite the efforts of firefighters.

A total of ten suspicious fires have been reported since the beginning of the year in east Texas and Temple. Seven of those fires have been ruled arson.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the Texas Rangers are investigating, and there is a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a suspect.

If you have any information, click here to contact the ATF Dallas Field Office.