The Democratic Party’s headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona, was targeted in an arson attack on Friday. The inferno destroyed decades’ worth of gathered voter and candidate information and memorabilia, according to local news reports.
Luckily, no one was injured in the blaze that ripped through and decimated the part of the building.
“Our building has been completely ruined,” the Maricopa County Democratic Party tweeted of the blaze that ripped through its Phoenix headquarters.
It was definitely set deliberately, Phoenix Police Department Sgt. Mercedes Fortune told reporters. The arsonists currently remain at large.
“Investigators believe a fire that caused extensive damage to the state Democratic Party headquarters early Friday in downtown Phoenix was intentionally set,” the Arizona Republic reports. “Heavy smoke and fire were billowing from the building around 1 a.m. near Central Avenue and Thomas Road as Phoenix firefighters arrived on scene. They quickly entered the building to search for persons and began a fire attack to put out the flames, according to officials.”
“Devastated. We lost our side of the building at the Maricopa County Democratic Party,” he tweeted Friday. “The fire completely destroyed everything.”
“We are all still in a state of shock,” Slugocki said via a statement. “Knowing that this fire was set deliberately is disturbing news, but I am relieved no one was injured.”
Most staffers have worked remotely since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
No one had entered the building for several days, said Slugocki.
Footage shared on the Maricopa County Democratic Party’s Twitter feed showed how its HQ had been “completely ruined” in the fire:
The Arizona Democratic Party remained defiant and are fundraising to rebuild after the devastating fire.
Here are additional images from the scene:
Our building has been completely ruined. The authorities are continuing their investigation and are labeling this as arson.
We are saddened by this act of violence but not deterred. We will flip #MaricopaCounty blue this November. pic.twitter.com/QyPC5C0PWt
— Maricopa County Democrats (@MaricopaDems) July 24, 2020
Very sorry to see this – my desk used to be right through that door, back in 2004. Glad no one was hurt, and I know we can count on supporters to make sure AZ/Maricopa Dems are back up and running quickly as you continue to Turn Arizona Blue. https://t.co/Q95R6GsxPM
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) July 24, 2020
Devastated.
We lost our side of the building at the Maricopa County Democratic Party. The fire completely destroyed everything.
Heartbreaking. @MaricopaDems pic.twitter.com/GGvnzVkWCl— Steven Slugocki (@Slugocki) July 24, 2020
"It's very, very upsetting. It's been a very difficult morning." Here's my live interview with @MaricopaDems Chairman, Steven @Slugocki on #12News from earlier this morning. Talking about the fire at AZ Democratic Party HQ overnight. Cause remains under investigation. pic.twitter.com/bhHPBcjYyf
— JenWahl12News (@JenWahl12News) July 24, 2020
