Police are searching for a man who allegedly set Senator Bernie Sanders’ office on fire in Vermont.

A man entered the building and sprayed an accelerant on Sanders’ office door on Friday morning.

He then set it on fire and fled, according to police.

A “significant fire engulfed the door and part of the vestibule, impeding the [access] of staff members who were working in the office and endangering their lives,” according to Burlington Police.

Read more from Sky News:
77,000 live salmon have lucky escape after spilling out of truck
Inmates will see solar eclipse after suing over prison lockdown
US actor found dead two days after domestic violence charge

The third-floor offices of Sanders and those nearby were evacuated.

There were no reported injuries and the building’s sprinkler system largely extinguished the fire, according to police.

‘Stand your butt up’: Bernie Sanders steps in to prevent fist fight

Northern Ireland Protocol latest | Dominic Raab, Mark Francois and US senator Bernie Sanders 

‘Sexy’ Bernie Sanders outfit could be scariest costume this Halloween

The Burlington Fire Marshal’s office, Burlington Police Department and Vermont State Police are conducting a joint investigation.

The fire comes amid increased threats against political figures in the US.

More than 8,000 cases were investigated by Capitol Police last year. That’s around 500 more than the previous year, according to a report in January.

Sanders, 82, is an independent and in his third term in the US Senate.

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

He served in the House of Representatives for 16 years, and before that was mayor of Burlington in Vermont.

In 2016, he stood as the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate in a campaign that gathered huge support from young voters.

Related posts:

President Biden and First Lady greeted by Queen as they arrive at Windsor Castle for tea US inflation revs up as used car prices see biggest increase on record Biden leads tributes to Colin Powell: ‘He could drive his Corvette Stingray like nobody’s business’ Trump questioned by lawyers as protesters allege his security guards violently attacked them US rapper Young Dolph, 36, shot dead at cookie shop in his hometown Memphis Fourth of July shooting suspect’s strange and violent online trail Toddler left orphaned in Chicago Fourth of July parade shooting Mother hears late daughter’s transplanted heart beating Trans woman who murdered three kids at Nashville school was ex-student who made ‘manifesto’ and maps of building NASA releases stunning ultraviolet images of Mars Biden talks with Middle East leaders axed on eve of US president’s visit US accuses China’s fighter jets of ‘dangerous’ manoeuvres against its military aircraft