'Ignited by MAGA': Internet rife with speculation over blaze at Bernie Sanders' office in suspected arson

BURLINGTON, VERMONT: A fire erupted outside Sen Bernie Sanders' office in Burlington, Vermont, on Friday, April 5, and the police are suspecting an arsonist, reported the New York Post.

The fire broke out around 10.45 am ET, according to the police, and Sanders was not present in the office at the time. Some of his staff were inside, but none were injured.

Firefighters were immediately dispatched to the building that contained the independent Senator's only office in Vermont.

"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," read a statement from the Burlington Police Department. "The sprinkler system then engaged and largely extinguished the fire," police said.

Police suspect male arsonist

The Burlington police said an unknown male entered the vestibule of the Senator's office, "sprayed an apparent accelerant on the entrance door," and fled the site after letting the accelerant, as per NBC News.

The suspect has not been captured, and the authorities could not find the motive behind analyzing Sandres' office. According to an image released by the Burlington Police, the suspected male wore an orange beanie, black sweater, brown pants, and white Nike sneakers.

The fire damaged the door to the office, and the building sustained major water damage.

Burlington Police Department and Vermont State Police are jointly investigating the matter.

In a statement, Sanders' state director, Kathryn Van Haste, thanked the Burlington Fire and Police Departments for their immediate response to the fire incident.

"We are relieved that no one on our staff and, to our understanding, no one in the building was harmed," she said.

82-year-old Sanders is serving his third consecutive term in the Senate and was a member of the House for 16 years. He currently resides in Burlington with his wife.

Internet reacts to fire incident 

Internet reacted mixedly to the fire incident at the Sanders' office. Some suggested he could shift his work to any of his three houses, while a few baselessly blamed climate change for the fire.

One user asked, "Wow.. wonder who he angered?" Meanwhile, another said, "It’s ok. He can just move his office space to one of his three houses."

"Not good. Hopefully they catch the perpetrators," a third user said.

Whereas a fourth response claimed, "They will find it was ignited by MAGA." While another wrote, "I think climate change literally burned it down?"

"Global warming strikes again," someone else wrote. Another added, "It’s ok, he can WFH from one of his several mansions."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.