Authorities in Vermont are currently searching for a suspect who allegedly ignited a fire outside the office of U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders in Burlington. The incident occurred on Friday and resulted in minor damages, fortunately causing no injuries.
The unidentified male suspect reportedly sprayed a potential accelerant on the office door, set it ablaze, and then fled the scene. As of now, the suspect remains at large, and investigators have not determined a motive for the act.
Burlington police described the fire as significant, engulfing the door and part of the vestibule. This posed a danger to staff members working inside the office, hindering their ability to exit safely. Fortunately, the sprinkler system activated and largely extinguished the fire.
Earlier on the same day, the Burlington Fire Department responded to a call and discovered the fire between the vestibule, elevator, and entrance door of Sanders' third-floor office. The office door sustained moderate fire damage, while the third floor experienced significant water damage. Consequently, Sanders' office and neighboring offices were evacuated as a precaution.
A spokesperson for Senator Sanders has not yet provided a comment on the incident. Fortunately, Sanders himself was not present in the office at the time of the fire.
