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Church Fires Under Investigation

By Alabama Public Radio

Chilton and Bibb Counties – Authorities continue to investigate a string a six church fires set last night in Chilton and Bibb Counties. At least one volunteer firefighter was injured while battling a fire in Bibb County. The firefighter, Ben Fletcher, is a member of Ashby Baptist Church in Brierfield. He was battling the blaze when the church's roof caved in sometime between 3-and-4 a-m. Fletcher suffered minor cuts and bruises and was transferred to Shelby Baptist Hospital for additional treatment. Meanwhile, agents with the F-B-I and A-T-F Birmingham offices have joined the investigation. So far, arson is suspected in the five Bibb County fires, which involved the Ashley Baptist Church, the Rehobeth Baptist Church, Old Union Baptist Church, the Antioch Baptist Church and Pleasant Sabine Antioch Church. The sixth church -- New Harmony Holiness Church in Chilton County -- burned to the ground. But authorities believe that fire may have been caused by construction work. The F-B-I has established a TIP LINE for information regarding the fires. That number is 1-877-628-2533.

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