When members of the Republican Town Committee gathered at their headquarters on West Main Street Friday night, they were met with melted canvas and ash on the sidewalk.
The awning over the storefront doorway had been torched Thursday night.
Now police are reviewing surveillance footage from a video camera at the nearby Target to try to determine who set it on fire.
“A crime was committed and we’re going to try to figure it out,” Chief Kevin Hale said.
The fire was reported through a 911 call at 10:35 p.m. Thursday, police spokesman Lt. Andrew Cota said. Police officers responding put the fire out with a fire extinguisher.
Firefighters responded as well.
Republican Town Committee members are concerned because the awning was torched not too long after they set up shop.
“It just makes you think,” said Pat Henri, the vice-chairman for the Republican Town Committee. “The building’s been there forever. The awning’s been there forever. We move in a few weeks ago, put up a string of flags and the next day, somebody sets it on fire.”
Henri said he doesn’t know who would set fire to the awning — or whether it involves politics.
“There are perhaps overly passionate or foolish people who do stupid things,” Henri said.
Republican Mayoral candidate Judy Larkin-Nicolari said she has reviewed the surveillance footage, which leads her to believe the fire wasn’t set randomly.
Larkin-Nicolari wouldn’t comment on what she saw in the footage, saying she did not want to interfere with the police investigation.
Mayor James Della Volpe, who is running for re-election, said the fire was probably the result of a young person’s prank.
“I’m sure they’ll find out once they view the videotape,” Della Volpe said. “Obviously, I deplore that type of behavior. I do not condone the destruction of personal property.”
