Bill Clinton’s Birthplace Burns, Arson Suspected

The former president who branded himself as "the man from Hope" got some less-than-hopeful news for Christmas in the form of a fire at his birthplace that officials are investigating as arson, reports KSLA-TV. "There’s just evidence and signs that we do believe it was intentionally set," says the fire chief in Hope, Ark., site of the William J. Clinton Birthplace. "It will be investigated and handled as a potential arson fire." The fire broke out around 3:20am Christmas morning, and damaged the home's second floor and east side; the home, which is designated a National Historic Site, also suffered smoke and water damage. Federal investigators will assist, notes KSLA. Clinton lived in the house for the first four years of his life. (More Bill Clinton stories.)