WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 (Xinhuanet) -- Ten churches in the southern U.S. state of Alabama have been set on fire since Feb. 2, and the latest fire at a Baptist church was ruled arson, local media reported Sunday.

    The latest fire on Saturday severely damaged the Beaverton Freewill Baptist Church in northwest Alabama, and the state fire marshal's office ruled it arson.

    The fire marshal's office was investigating whether the fire was connected to the other fires that have destroyed or damaged nine other rural churches in the state since early this month.

    Alabama Governor Bob Riley said last week that the church fires appeared linked, and federal investigators said on Sunday that based on witness accounts and other evidence, they believed two white men were responsible for the fires. Enditem