An early Christmas morning fire at the first home of former U.S. President Bill Clinton in Arkansas is being investigated as arson, authorities said.
According to police, Fire broke out at the William J. Clinton Birthplace, designated as a National Historic Site, around 3:20 a.m. Friday.
The other buildings on the property, including the National Park Service gift shop and headquarters, were undamaged. The house was owned by Clinton’s grandparents and even after he moved, Clinton spent many of his childhood summers and holidays there, according to the Clinton Childhood Museum’s website.
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported that the fire was quickly extinguished and only one interior room was damaged by flames. Wilson said there was graffiti found at the scene, with footage from the scene showing a large painted frown with a protruding tongue on the exterior of a door leading to the inside of the home.
"We suspect arson, because of the point of origin," Wilson said. "Also, there was strong smell of accelerant at the point of the origin of what appeared to smell like gasoline," Wilson said.
Wilson said police found "55" spray-painted in black on a walkway leading to the north side of the home. Officers also spotted "XX" painted above what appeared to be a frown with a tongue sticking out on a door of the building.
Mr. Wilson said firefighters saw flames 8ft (2.4m) high on one side of the property when they arrived.
Bill Clinton was America's 42nd president, serving from 1993 to 2001.
By Ruchi Singh
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
