Texas, Feb 9 (THAINDIAN NEWS) Many east Texas churches have been set on fire. On Monday night, 2 more churches erupted in flames, thus bringing the total to 8 churches so far. The federal officials are of the opinion, that a serial arsonist could be behind all the fires. Clay Alexander, the head of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives office in Tyler, said on Tuesday that one person or a group of people is at work in east Texas, who is purposely setting fire to the churches. He said that 2 churches that erupted in flames on Monday night were downright suspicious. The ATF is also doing an investigation into the fire incidents.

Tom Crowley, special agent with Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms National Response Team, says his group is “very active in the area”. They are also looking at all the vehicles, which are seen near churches at all hours in the area. The churches, which erupted in flames on Monday in Smith County, happened within an hour of each other. So possibly there is somebody who is setting them on fire on purpose. County authorities said that the flames of the fire were already coming out the roof of Clear Springs Missionary Baptist Church when the firefighters arrived. The spokesperson said that it was very obvious that the back door of the church had been broken into.