A brush fire in Peterborough over the weekend is possibly a case of politically motivated arson.
The incident occurred Sunday afternoon, at about 1:30 p.m., on the north side of Route 101 West across the street from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.
At the site of the fire was a “Trump/Pence” campaign sign, posted on a tree. Peterborough Fire Chief Ed Walker was not at the scene but heard the sign may have had something to do with the fire.
“I believe it was damaged,” he said.
The fire covered 200 feet of roadway and reached about 20 feet high.
Walker said that witnesses told investigators they saw a car parked in front of the site of the fire shortly before it broke out. Walker said that the Peterborough Police Department is handling the investigation, because the fire could be a criminal act.
“Bystanders said they saw a car and when the car left, that’s when the fire started,” he said.
Police Chief Scott Guinard said the investigator was at the scene most of the day Sunday but has not finished or filed a report.
In New Hampshire law, intentionally setting a fire to destroy property is categorized as criminal mischief, and the punishment depends on the value of the damaged property. If that value exceeds $100, it is a felony.
Brandon Latham can be reached at 924-7172 ext. 228 or blatham@ledgertranscript.com. He is also on Twitter @blathamMLT.