Arson Suspected in Bernie Sanders Office Attack

An arsonist on Friday set fire to the door of Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders' Burlington office, according to police.

Sanders, an independent senator, was not at his office during the fire, which reportedly caused minor damages but no injuries to staff members who were briefly trapped inside.

"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."

Police are searching for a male suspect who they say "sprayed an apparent accelerant" on the office door before lighting the accelerant and fleeing. No motive has been established.

Newsweek reached out to Sanders via email on Friday for comment.

According to the Associated Press (AP), the Burlington Fire Department 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," the AP said.

Police later released an image of a man they identified as a suspect in the arson probe.

In a statement, Sanders' Vermont state director Kathryn Van Haste thanked officials for their work in the ongoing investigation.

"We are grateful to the Burlington Fire and Police Departments who responded immediately today to a fire incident that took place in our office building," Van Haste said. "We are relieved that no one on our staff and, to our understanding, no one in the building was harmed."

Burlington Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak also released a statement on the fire.

"I am grateful for the quick action of the Burlington Fire and Police Departments in responding to the fire at One Church Street," Mulvaney-Stanak said in the statement. "My office continues to be in close communication with both departments as the investigation is carried out."

Mulvaney-Stanak continued: "I have also spoken with Senator Sanders' office, and am relieved to hear that everyone made it out safely. My staff will continue to be in close communication with Senator Sanders' team and offer support as this situation develops."

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Burlington Police Department at (802) 658-2704.

Update 04/05/24, 7:20 p.m. ET: This article has been updated to include more information.