Federal authorities charge 2 suspects with arson in east Texas church fire

ATF charges 2 men in east Texas church fire

TYLER, Texas — Federal authorities say two men have been charged with setting an east Texas church on fire and are suspected in a string of similar blazes this year.

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives spokesman Tom Crowley says 19-year-old Jason Robert Bourque and 21-year-old Daniel George McAllister were charged Sunday with felony arson in connection with a fire last month at a church in Smith County in east Texas.

Crowley says the men are suspected of intentionally setting other fires in east Texas, where 10 churches have burned since Jan. 1. Authorities suspect a fire at a church in the central Texas town of Temple was also arson.

Bond for each suspect was set at $10 million.

Crowley says he has no information on the suspects’ attorneys.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

TYLER, Texas (AP) — Federal authorities say they have charged two suspects in a series of church fires in Texas.

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives spokesman Tom Crowley says 19-year-old Jason Robert Bourque and 21-year-old Daniel George McAllister have been charged Sunday with five counts of felony arson in connection with fires at churches in Smith County, east Texas.

Authorities believe at least 11 blazes at churches in Texas since the start of the year have been set intentionally.

Crowley says he has no information on attorneys for the suspects.