Former president Bill Clinton’s childhood home damaged in arson attack

The home where former US president Bill Clinton was born has been damaged in an arson attack. The property, built in 1917 and restored to preserve much of its historical detail, was targeted early on Christmas Day. The blaze ran up an exterior back wall of the white frame house where Mr Clinton spent the first few years of his life, but the damage was minor. "It’s pretty logical it was purposely set,“ said J.R. Wilson, the police chief in Hope, Arkansas.

It sure smelled like gasoline to me

Police chief J R Wilson

A motorist reported the blaze and police and fire crews arrived within minutes. Once there, they detected a smell of an accelerant near where authorities believe the fire began. Police are also analyzing some black graffiti at the scene for possible clues. Mr Clinton – born in Hope on August 19, 1946 – served in the Oval Office from 1993 to 2001.

There’s just evidence and signs that we do believe it was intentionally set. It will be investigated and handled as a potential arson fire.

Hope fire department chief Dale Glanton

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