ATF releases sketches of 3 persons of interest in deliberately set Texas church fires

3 persons of interest sought in Texas church fires

TYLER, Texas — Federal arson investigators say they’re seeking three men in connection with 10 church fires in east and central Texas.

Sketches of the “persons of interest” were released Friday by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives officials. ATF spokesman Tom Crowley told The Associated Press that authorities want to interview them.

Nine fires at east Texas churches have been ruled arsons this year, including two Monday northwest of Tyler. Tyler is 90 miles east of Dallas.

ATF officials say another fire, in Temple, 120 miles south of Dallas, also was arson.

The sketches depict two short-haired men — one with a flame-like tattoo on his neck, the other with an inverted cross on his left forearm and elbow. A third man has longer hair.

Information from: KLTV-TV, www.kltv.com