Arson Suspected In Fire At Sen. Bernie Sanders’ Vermont Office, Police Search For Suspect

The office of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) in Burlington, Vermont, was set on fire on Friday morning. According to authorities, an unidentified man entered the office, sprayed an accelerant and set the door on fire. Due to the flames, staff members were unable to reach the exit. Sanders was not present at the time. No persons were injured.

Firefighters rushed to the third floor of the building where the fire occurred. Surveillance footage captured the suspect in a black jacket, dark pants, orange beanie, white sneakers and holding a white bag. Authorities have yet to uncover the motive behind the suspected arson.

“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 reported.

The Burlington Fire Department stated, “The door to the Senator’s office sustained moderate fire damage, and the third floor and floors below sustained significant water damage.”

Following the incident, Sanders’ team thanked the Burlington Police and Fire Department for their quick efforts. At the time, Sanders was in Los Angeles for a rally for hotel workers on strike. 

Kathryn Van Haste, Sanders’ Vermont state director, said, “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.”

“We are relieved that no one on our staff and, to our understanding, no one in the building was harmed. Thank you as well to the Vermont State Police for their assistance and the efforts of the U.S. Capitol Police and the Senate Sergeant at Arms, who are working in coordination with local first responders.”

Sanders has entered pop culture through Larry David‘s impersonation of him on Saturday Night Live and memes of his oversized mittens at President Joe Biden‘s inaugural.