The Associated Press
SALEM, Ore. — A fire broke out early Saturday at the Oregon Capitol, leaving the building with smoke, water and fire damage, including to the governor’s ceremonial office and the offices of some of his high-ranking staff members.
The blaze was being investigated as a possible arson, but the cause was not expected to be announced until after the holiday weekend.
The fire, which started on the south side of the building, was reported about 12:30 a.m. Saturday by Willamette University students who live across the street, and it was put out in about 20 minutes, said Capt. Calvin Curths of the Oregon State Police.
Five janitors working inside left safely after being alerted by a fire alarm.
The Capitol has burned down twice, most recently in 1935. Extensive renovation work was being done this year, much of it in the area where the fire is thought to have started.
Most of the building was not damaged. Besides offices on the second floor, other areas damaged were several first-floor hearing rooms and a third-floor room above the governor’s office.
A spokeswoman for Gov. Theodore R. Kulongoski said the fire would force 19 people who work in the governor’s second-floor offices to be moved for one to three weeks.