LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Authorities say a fire that caused minor damage to President Bill Clinton's childhood home in Hope, Arkansas on Christmas was apparently caused by arson.
Hope Police Department Chief J.R. Wilson says a motorist spotted flames early on Friday morning at the Clinton Birthplace National Historic Site. Wilson says that when firefighters arrived a short time later, flames were shooting 8 feet into the air on one side of the structure.
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports that the fire was quickly extinguished and only one interior room was damaged by flames.
"Authorities collected evidence that includes graffiti found on a walkway leading to the north side of the home; the number 55 was spray-painted there in black," according to a report from NBC News. "In addition, on a north side door of the structure, there were two X's and a loop coming out of the center of a frown like a tongue sticking out."
The cause of the fire is under investigation. Arson is suspected because investigators smelled an accelerant at the scene.
Clinton lived in the home as a child before moving to Hot Springs, Arkansas. It was designated as a National Historic Site in 2011.