A suspected arsonist sprayed a 'phenomenal accelerant' and set fire to the entrance to the senator's main office in Vermont, trapping staff inside until firefighters arrived
The police are investigating a suspicious arson at the offices of Sen. Bernie Sanders in Burlington, Vt.; and searching for an unknown man who started the fire.
The suspect started the fire in a vestibule after spraying an “apparent accelerant” on the office door, and the fire prevented workers from leaving the office, which was on the third floor. The building's sprinkler system activated and extinguished most of the flames. The Burlington Fire Department arrived around 10:45 a.m., according to Burlington police.
The fire department said the fire started “in the vestibule between the elevator and the entrance door to Senator Bernard Sanders' office.” The department said it “believed this fire to be arson” and announced it was turning the investigation over to the Vermont State Police.
“The fire was extinguished and the Senator's office and surrounding offices were searched and cleared of occupants,” the fire department added.
No injuries were reported, and the senator was not in the office at the time of the fire. Authorities released a surveillance video image of the suspect, who was wearing an orange knit hat, black jacket and dark pants while carrying a light-colored bag.
“We are grateful to the Burlington Fire and Police Department for their prompt response today to a fire incident that occurred in our office building.” he said Kathryn Van Heest, the senator's Vermont state director, according to The New York Times.
Van Heist added that local police and fire departments are working with the United States Capitol Police and the Senate Sgt.
The fire comes amid a spate of vandalism targeting lawmakers for supporting Israel's military offensive in Gaza, although none of those previous cases involved gunfire. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (DN.J.) said posters depicting Israeli hostages were vandalized with “Free Palestine” stickers outside his Capitol office on March 29. ) said their regional offices were targeted with posters opposing Israel's actions. Valando's desk was also splattered with a red liquid.
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