Black Churches Burned in Tenn.

SPARTA, Tenn. - Arson fires broke out Friday in seven buildings within a couple of blocks, destroying a black church, heavily damaging another one and doing lesser damage to five vacant houses, authorities said.

"All of them have been intentionally set," Mayor Tom Pedigo said.

No injuries were reported in the fires, which broke out just before 5 a.m. within two blocks in the town 75 miles southeast of Nashville.

The churches that burned were on the same street, police detective Allen Selby said. As firefighters arrived to fight one fire, Selby said, "they looked down the street and the other church was fully involved."

No arrests have been made but the mayor said authorities are pursuing some tips.

Roberts Street Church of Christ was destroyed while Kynette United Methodist Church was heavily damaged. Both served black congregations, Pedigo said.

About 5 percent of Sparta's 5,000 residents are black, according to census figures.

"I think as far as the total community is concerned, I don't see any racial implications to it," Pedigo said. "We're searching all avenues we can. We want to find the answer to this as soon as possible, and I think we can."

The five unoccupied houses were less seriously damaged, with only one receiving what authorities described as moderate damage.

Besides Sparta police, the FBI, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and White County Sheriff's Department are investigating. The FBI was called in because federal law covers church arson, authorities said.