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FACT FOCUS: No foul play suspected in ICE van fire in Philadelphia

US-Immigration-Q&A
February 18, 2025

Footage of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement van on fire in Philadelphia on Tuesday morning led many on social media to blame the blaze on left-wing extremists.

Here's a closer look at the facts.

CLAIM: An ICE van in Philadelphia seen ablaze in a video spreading online was intentionally set on fire by left-wing extremists.

THE FACTS: That's false. Although the cause of the fire is unknown, foul play is not suspected, according to the Philadelphia Fire Department and ICE.

โ€œAfter our fire marshal spoke to the driver of the vehicle, who escaped unharmed, thankfully, it was determined that it was an accidental fire,โ€ said Rachel Cunningham, a spokesperson for the Philadelphia Fire Department. โ€œI don't have information on what caused it or what the accident was, but there's no suspicion of foul play.โ€

The department responded to a call about a vehicle ablaze in front of a residence in Philadelphia's Center City neighborhood at 8:38 a.m. Tuesday morning, Cunningham said. One fire engine was sent to the scene and extinguished the flames. The fire marshal was called as a precaution, given that the van is a government vehicle.

ICE spokesperson Tanya Roman said that the van โ€œexperienced mechanical issuesโ€ before it caught fire.

โ€œThe Philadelphia Fire Department extinguished the flames after arriving on scene," she confirmed. "There were no injuries due to the fast response from the fire department and the vehicleโ€™s occupants. The cause of the fire is unknown, but no foul play is suspected at this time.โ€

Find AP Fact Checks here: https://apnews.com/APFactCheck.

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