Texas Church Damaged By Explosion
BEAUMONT, Texas (AP) — A package left at the front door of a Southeast Texas church exploded, causing minor damage and marking the second time in two weeks that a device has been found in the city of Beaumont.
The Rev. Steven Balke told KFDM-TV on Thursday that the overnight blast broke windows and caused other damage to St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Beaumont's West End.
No one was injured in the explosion. Bishop C. Andrew Doyle, Episcopal Bishop of Texas, says in a statement that the church and the All Saints Episcopal School next door have been evacuated and will remain closed until further notice.
Authorities said a similar device was found unexploded outside a Beaumont Starbucks on April 27.
Police have disclosed no motives or links between the two.
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