Bernie Sanders' Vermont office catches fire as police search for arson suspect

The Burlington Police Department is seeking information about a suspect connected to a fire that ignited at the office of Vermont independent Sen. Bernie Sanders. 

Police and fire department officials responded to a suspected arson incident Friday morning and an investigation revealed that an unknown male sprayed a fire accelerant on the entrance of Sanders' offices before lighting it and fleeing.

A large fire engulfed the door and a portion of the office, preventing staff members who were working in the office from leaving and endangering their lives, the police department said.

The senator was not in the building at the time of the incident and no one was injured, officials said. A sprinkler system mostly extinguished the fire, but it caused significant damage to the building.

The Burlington Police Department is asking the public for assistance in identifying an unknown male suspect. 

The motive behind the fire is unclear. 

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