Authorities in Washington, D.C. have reported an incident where a suspect attempted to set fire to the Freedom Bell located outside Union Station. The District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department confirmed the incident on social media, clarifying that despite misinformation circulating online, no injuries were reported.
The official statement from the Fire and EMS Department stated, 'An individual attempted to set fire to the bell outside the station. There was no person on fire, contrary to a report on social media. This is a law enforcement matter with no injuries.'
Responding to the incident, one social media user questioned the feasibility of setting fire to a metal bell, highlighting the confusion surrounding the event.
The Freedom Bell, a sculpture resembling the iconic Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, was gifted to Union Station by the American Legion, a veterans organization, a few years after the 1976 bicentennial celebration. The bronze bell has been a prominent fixture outside Union Station since 1981, following authorization by Congress over six years prior. It is currently owned by the National Park Service.
