The FBI investigates a fire at the Chinese consulate in San Francisco as an arson attack.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) says a fire at the Chinese consulate in San Francisco was an arson attack and not an act of terrorism.
There is no indication the fire was an act of terrorism, FBI spokesman Peter Lee said on Thursday.
Lee said he did not know whether the Chinese consulate had received any threats or been the target of protests.
Footage from surveillance cameras shows a person emerging from a parked mini-van, pouring two buckets of gasoline on the front door of the consulate and then setting it ablaze, According to a statement released by the consulate.
The fire charred the entrance of the consulate but no one was harmed.
Wang Chuan, the consulate spokesman, condemned the incident as a Å“despicable attack.”
“We urge the US side to take all necessary measures to provide adequate protection for Chinese consular personnel and properties,” he told reporters outside the consulate on Thursday.
US State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said there have been no claims of responsibility for the attack.
“We take this incident very seriously, and the Bureau of Diplomatic Security is working with the FBI and local authorities to investigate and apprehend the perpetrators,” she added.
HJ/HJ
Source: Press TV