China’s consulate in San Francisco was targeted by an arsonist who managed to set the main gate on fire and spread flames to the actual facility.
BBC reported that investigators are trying to determine just who parked a van in front of the compound late Wednesday night, then doused the gate with two cans of gasoline before setting it on fire.
The consulate said in a statement that it condemned the “vicious, destructive act of arson,” and hoped the police could find the guilty party, or parties, quickly.
Protests outside Chinese consulates are fairly common — but rallies that lead to acts of violence and extremely rare, BBC said.
Still, nobody was injured in the arson, though emergency responders estimate the building itself was “severely damaged” and repairs could prove costly, BBC reported.
Officials also said that while all escaped injury, Chinese officials were angry that consulate staffers faced a threatening attack.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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