Latest Church Fire Has Authorities Questioning a Pattern

Another church has been set ablaze in St. Louis, making it the seventh church fire this month.

The previous six fires occurred at predominantly African-American churches within a few miles of each other. But the latest one was at a church on the opposite side of town.

Local media outlets say the church's congregation is largely white. The historic Shrine of St. Joseph is located in Coloumbus square, which is seven miles east of where the other six fires were set.

However, the fire did follow the previous pattern, with the blaze set againist the front doors of the building.

A rash of African-American churches being burned in the St. Louis area has many concerned the attacks are racially motivated. Bishop Harry Jackson weighs in.

Authorities say the churches were all empty at the time of the fires and no one has been injured.

"It's kind of a mystery - why would anybody want to vandalize a place like the Shrine of St. Joseph?" Rev. Dale Wunderlich, priest at the church, told St. Louis Dispatch Post.

"I feel a sort of kinship with the other pastors whose churches have been damaged," he said.

Federal investigators are now assisting in the probe. The reward being offered for information leading to the arrest has increased to $9,000.