RENO, Nev. (AP) — Authorities say vandals are suspected of setting a fire Sunday morning that caused major damage to a Reno-area post office and shut down its postal operations.
U.S Postal Inspector Steve Hofheins told the Reno Gazette-Journal that the building in Verdi about 10 miles west of Reno may be a total loss.
He says while no mail was burned, some mail sustained water damage from firefighters' efforts. According to Hofheins, the fire apparently started about 5 a.m. after "something was thrown through the back window."
A neighbor reported hearing four gunshots behind the post office about 4:30 a.m. and calling 911, and smoke was visible when officers arrived at the scene.
A fire inspector from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms is investigating the cause of the blaze.
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