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DC Man Accused Of Starting Fire Near National Archives Building

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Washington, D.C., man is accused of setting a gas can on fire outside of the National Archives building, which houses the Declaration of Independence and other historic treasures.

News outlets report 32-year-old Jacob Wallace has been arrested on federal charges related to the April fire.

National Archives Says Someone Started Fire Outside DC Building

Security video shows a person holding something walk toward the building, kneel down and then run away as an orange glow begins to grow behind them. The building sustained about $12,000 in damage.

Federal court filings say Wallace later called the FBI from a local grocery store and admitted to setting the fire. The filings say Wallace also told federal agents that he had been "hearing voices and believed someone was following him."

(© Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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