Arizona authorities are investigating a fire at the Democratic Party state headquarters in Phoenix that caused significant damage Friday morning.
The flames and heavy smoke reportedly left the building around 1 a.m., with firefighters coming in to search for someone inside before putting out the fire, The Arizona Republic reported.
No one was inside the headquarters at the time, and the Phoenix Fire and Police Departments are working together to determine the cause of the fire.
“At this point, it is too early to say” the extent of the damage, said Felecia Rotellini, president of the state Democratic Party. “The investigators are scheduled to be on the scene at 8am, so we don’t know anything right now, but we are very lucky that everyone is safe and in this virtual environment. We can continue to organize the party and do whatever we can. what to do for November “.
The damage appears to have been particularly severe on the north side of the building, where the Maricopa County Democratic Party maintains its offices.
Democratic Maricopa President Steven Slugocki said he believes all of the county party’s files, computers and phones were destroyed in the fire.
“It is a devastating loss for us and I am truly heartbroken,” Slugocki said.
Slugocki said it is unclear how the damage will affect a virtual summer convention to be held on Saturday and that more than 700 Democrats from across Maricopa County are expected to attend.
Senator Kamala Harris
Kamala Devi HarrisBiden says Whitmer is still in contention for vice president election Poll: Harris, Warren, the top list of vice president picks among Democratic voters Joy Reid’s debut offers 2.6 million viewers for MSNBC MORE (D-Calif.) He had established himself to address the county Democrats in a prerecorded message.
“The Maricopa County Democratic Party will not stop at this office, we are still going to continue our work,” Slugocki said, emphasizing his gratitude that no one was injured in the fire. “We are going to find a way to get through this and continue the work that we are supposed to do.”
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