Local News
Ballot box is on fire in Vancouver, WA near Portland
By the time officers arrived, security guards had already extinguished the flames.
Police in Oregon and Washington are investigating incidents involving ballot boxes that were intentionally set on fire.
On Monday morning, Portland Police Bureau officers responded to a reported fire at a ballot drop box on the 1000 block of Southeast Morrison Street.
By the time officers arrived, security guards had already extinguished the flames.
Authorities indicated that the fire was started with an incendiary device placed inside the ballot box. Portland’s Explosive Disposal Unit was called to the scene to assess and safely clear the device.
Meanwhile, police in Vancouver, Washington, are investigating a similar incident that took place on Monday morning at the C-TRAN Park & Ride at Fisher’s Landing Transit Center.
According to witnesses, a device placed outside the ballot box ignited the fire, causing hundreds of ballots to burn.
Officials noted that the last ballot collection from this box was at 11 a.m. on Saturday, suggesting the fire had affected a significant amount of uncollected ballots.
These incidents follow a similar case in Arizona last week, where a fire broke out just before 1:30 a.m. on October 24 outside a post office near 7th Avenue and Indian School Road.
Phoenix Fire crews arrived on the scene and quickly extinguished the flames, though the fire damaged twenty electoral ballots along with other pieces of mail.
Phoenix Fire Captain Rob McDade reported that the Postal Inspector took possession of the damaged ballots and mail.
The Phoenix Fire Investigations Task Force, which includes Phoenix Police detectives and fire investigators, is working closely with U.S. Postal Inspectors to investigate the cause and intent behind the incident.
Local News
Watch: Massive flames spotted at roof of Soho Building in Manhattan, fire raised to 2nd alarm
Firefighters Battle Second-Alarm Blaze at Soho Building in Manhattan, Baby Reported Inside Smoke-Filled Penthouse
Emergency crews are responding to a significant roof fire at a building in the heart of Manhattan’s Soho neighborhood.
Massive flames and thick smoke were reported late Tuesday evening, initially described as coming from the area near Broadway and Broome Street.
The fire was first reported by a 911 caller, prompting police to arrive on the scene and confirm a heavy smoke condition.
Firefighters were dispatched to what was initially reported as 451 Broome Street but later confirmed to be 487 Broadway, which houses a TJ Maxx store on the ground level.
As firefighters arrived, the blaze was found to be concentrated on the roof, with flames spreading quickly.
The fire was elevated to a second alarm, bringing additional resources and personnel to the scene to combat the growing inferno.
Adding to the urgency, fire crews on the scene reported that a baby was inside the smoke-filled penthouse of the building. Rescue operations are ongoing as firefighters work to locate and safely evacuate anyone trapped inside.
This is a developing story, and authorities are expected to release more information as they assess the situation.
Residents and visitors in the area are advised to avoid the vicinity while emergency crews work to bring the fire under control.