Law enforcement officials believe a fire that broke out at the Arizona Democratic Party’s state headquarters in Phoenix was set intentionally.
No one was in the building at the time of the fire, which broke out in the middle of the night shortly after midnight on Friday, and there were no reported injuries, according to AZ Central.
Phoenix Fire Investigation Task Force and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigators are examining the details surrounding the fire. Phoenix police spokeswoman Sgt. Mercedes Fortune said the incident is being investigated as an arson due to evidence at the scene, but she did not specify what has been discovered.
The chairwoman of the state Democratic Party, Felecia Rotellini, said her group is cooperating with law enforcement and noted it is “too soon” to assess the extent of damage caused by the fire.
“The investigators are scheduled to be at the scene at 8 a.m., so we don’t know anything right now. But we’re very fortunate that everyone is safe and in this virtual environment. We can continue to run the party and do everything we need to do for November,” she said. “While this is devastating, our eyes are on the prize in November, and this just makes us stronger.”
Steven Slugocki, the chairman of the Maricopa County Democratic Party, said he believes all of their files and computers were likely destroyed.
The Maricopa County Democratic Party said the building had been “completely ruined” in a video posted on Facebook.
Kelli Ward, chairwoman of the state Republican Party, offered support to the Democrats.
“Arizona Republicans look forward to meeting the Democrats on Election Day as opponents on the field of ideas,” Ward said in the statement. “Arizona’s political leaders should take this opportunity to remind Arizonans of all backgrounds that while we may have differences on political issues and policy, ultimately, we are all Americans and must treat each other as such.”
