Bernie Sanders’ Vermont office goes up in flames in suspected arson
A fire erupted outside Sen. Bernie Sanders’ Burlington, Vt., office on Friday, and police suspect an arsonist may be to blame.
No injuries were reported, but members of the independent senator’s staff were inside the building when the blaze started.
“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,” the Burlington Police Department said in a statement.
“The sprinkler system then engaged and largely extinguished the fire.”
Authorities believe a male suspect doused the door with an accelerant before setting it ablaze and fleeing the scene.
The suspect remains at large and police are unsure of his motive.
Burlington police released an image of a man in an orange beanie, black sweater, brown pants and white Nike sneakers sought in connection to the fire.
Sanders was not in the office at the time of the fire, which started at around 10:45 a.m., according to police.
The office building sustained “significant” water damage as a result of the sprinkler system going off, and the door to the senator’s office suffered “moderate” fire damage, police said.
Sanders’ office did not respond to The Post’s request for comment.
