OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) -- A fire that damaged an abortion clinic appears to have been a ``random act'' of arson without any evident link to anti-abortion groups, investigators say.
Scott Thomasson of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives office in Seattle said Monday the federal agency and local police and fire investigators concluded that the fire was set with incendiary materials on the roof of the Eastside Women's Health Clinic.
Estimating damage at $500,000, Thomasson said he could not specify which flammable materials were used, adding that evidence has been collected for analysis at an ATF laboratory in Maryland.
Flames damaged the roof early Sunday morning when the clinic was empty and there was heat, water and smoke damage in offices. No one was injured.
Investigators were following several leads but had no suspects, Thomasson said.
No evidence was found to indicate involvement by any organization that opposes abortion, nor does the fire appear to have been domestic terrorism, so the FBI has withdrawn from the investigation, the ATF agent said.
``It seems to be a random act at this time,'' Thomasson said.
Nonetheless, he added, setting the fire violated federal law because the clinic is a federally funded health care center.
Co-owner Nancy Armstrong said she didn't think the fire was random.
``The first thing that comes to mind is they're anti-abortion,'' Armstrong said.
Jan. 22 is the 32nd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion.
The clinic receives 30 to 40 patients a day. Staff members met outside with patients who showed up Monday and worked to reschedule appointments. Other appointments were being rearranged through the clinic's answering service.
The clinic had been picketed every Thursday - the day abortions were performed - for 20 years without violence and received no recent threats, though some people have aroused suspicion, she said.
Armstrong said the fire destroyed old medical instruments and some documents but did not damage patient records and will not put the clinic out of business.
She said she hoped the clinic would be able to resume offering services at another location in a week or two.
``They didn't bring us down,'' Armstrong said. ``Our patients shouldn't feel afraid. We will create a safe environment.''
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