The Region : Mail Destroyed in Post Office Arson

An arson fire roared through the lobby of the Will Rogers branch of the U.S. Post Office in Santa Monica, causing $55,000 in damage, authorities said. The late-night fire destroyed at least 500 letters dropped into the mail box in the building’s lobby, Santa Monica Fire Department spokeswoman Cathy Caskey said. Caskey said the fire was started by a “burning object” stuffed into the mail box in the lobby, which is always open to the public. U.S. Postal Inspector Jim Griffin said the post office would remain closed for “a day or so.”