SALEM, Ore. — A three-alarm fire at the Oregon State Capitol has left the building with smoke and fire damage, including in Gov. Ted Kulongoski’s ceremonial office and in the offices of some of his highest-ranking staff members.
The fire was reported by Willamette University students living across the street at about 12:30 a.m. Saturday morning, and was put out in about 20 minutes, said Oregon State Police Capt. Calvin Curths said.
The blaze is being investigated as a possible arson, but a cause is not expected to be announced until after the holiday weekend. A custodial crew of five people inside the building was evacuated, and no injuries were reported.
The Oregon State Capitol has burned down twice in the past, most recently in 1935. Extensive renovation work is being done on the Capitol building this year.
The governor and other state officials rushed to the Capitol on Saturday morning to inspect the damage. In a statement, Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem, said, “We were doing some work to really get the old girl fixed up and now this happens. But Oregon has bounced back from fires at our Capitol twice before and we will fix her up again and restore her to her full glory.”
Other areas damaged included several hearing rooms on the first floor, which suffered extensive water damage.
The Capitol was added to the National Registry of Historic Buildings in 1988.
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