TEMPLE, Texas - Federal and local investigators have
concluded that a fire that devastated a central Texas church
earlier this month was deliberately set.

The Jan. 19 fire severely damaged the sanctuary of the First
Baptist Church of Temple and an adjoining church building.

The arson determination came after an investigation by the U.S.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Temple
fire marshal. According to a statement from Temple Fire and Rescue
on Friday, the investigators worked for six days to reconstruct the
scene and trace the origin and cause of the fire.

According to the statement, local ATF agents continue the
investigation with the city fire marshal and Temple police.

The ATF also is investigating a string of east Texas church
fires that they've concluded were caused by arson.