Sen. Bernie Sanders’s office in Vermont caught fire. Arson is suspected, but the motive is unclear
Authorities are seeking a suspect who allegedly started a fire outside the Vermont office of U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders. The small blaze Friday caused minor damage but no injuries. Police in Burlington say a male suspect sprayed something on the office door, lit it on fire and fled. The Burlington Fire Department responded Friday morning and found a fire between the vestibule, the elevator and the entrance door of Sanders' third-floor office. The fire was extinguished and no one was injured, though the office door was damaged and the third floor of the building where the fire occurred sustained water damage. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) — Police in Vermont are seeking a suspect who allegedly started a fire Friday outside the office of U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders. The small blaze caused minor damages but no injuries.
Authorities say an unknown male suspect sprayed what they described as a possible accelerant on the office door, set it on fire and fled. They said the suspect remained at large and no motive had been established.
“A significant fire engulfed the door and part of the vestibule, impeding the egress of staff members who were working in the office and endangering their lives,” Burlington police said in a statement. “The sprinkler system then engaged and largely extinguished the fire.”
Earlier in the day, the Burlington Fire Department said it responded to a call Friday morning and found a fire between the vestibule, the elevator and the entrance door of Sanders’ third-floor office in Burlington. The office door suffered moderate fire damage and much of the third floor sustained significant water damage. The offices of Sanders and those nearby were evacuated.
A spokesperson for Sanders did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Sanders was not at the office.