Two more churches burn in Texas

TYLER, Texas, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- Fires that broke out within 35 minutes of each other destroyed two Texas churches located just three miles apart, authorities said.

Authorities were investigating the blazes, which occurred near the central Texas town of Tyler Monday night, The Dallas Morning News reported.

Eight church fires in east and central Texas have been confirmed arsons this year, the Texas Department of Public Safety said Tuesday.

The latest fires have not been ruled arson, but Smith County fire officials did tell the Tyler Morning Telegraph both churches had been broken into.

Monday night's first fire broke out around 8:45 p.m. at Dover Baptist Church near Tyler and the second shortly after at Clear Springs Missionary Baptist Church 3 miles west.

No one was inside either church at the time of the fires.

Pastor Carl Samples of the Baptist church said he "couldn't comprehend how anyone would do the Lord's house this way." He said interior renovations had recently been completed.

The Department of Public Safety announced the reward for information on the identity of the arsonist suspected of burning the churches has been increased to $25,000.

Investigators from local, state and federal law enforcement agencies have formed a task force aimed at finding the suspect. Anyone with information is asked to call a 24-hour hot line at 903-675-0061 or 903-675-0062.