Shant Soghomonian (also known as Michael Soghomonian), 35, previously of Northridge,
California was arrested on April 7 for allegedly starting a fire outside Bernie Sanders’ office, federal authorities say.
Burlington firefighters Friday morning, April 5 extinguished a fire at the office Sanders located in the historic Masonic Temple at corner of Church and Pearl Streets.
A release from Chief Mike LaChance says the Burlington Fire Department was dispatched to a reported fire on the 3rd floor of 1 Church Street, the Masonic Temple. Crews arrived to find the sprinkler system and fire alarms activated and a fire in the vestibule between the elevator and the entrance door to Senator Bernard Sanders’ office.
The fire was extinguished, and the Senator’s office and surrounding offices were searched and cleared of occupants. No injuries were reported. The door to the Senator’s office sustained moderate fire damage, and the third floor and floors below sustained significant water damage. Fire crews deployed salvage covers on the floors below to protect items from water.
Authorities say Soghomonian was recorded on a security video spraying a liquid near the outer door of the office and then lighting the area with a handheld lighter. A blaze quickly began while Soghomonian departed via a staircase. The resulting fire damaged the outside of the office door and surrounding areas, and the building sprinklers discharged on multiple floors.
Sanders office is located in the massive, historic Masonic Temple, built in 1897.