FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jay Purdy House Democratic Communications Office Phone: 717-787-7895 Fax: 717-783-6839 Email: jpurdy@pahouse.net	State Rep. Thomas Blackwell D-Philadelphia www.pahouse.com/Blackwell

Firebombing forces Blackwell office to temporary location

HARRISBURG, Sept. 14 – State Rep. Tommy Blackwell, D-Phila., today said his staff has relocated to his North Philadelphia office after his main constituent service was firebombed this morning.

The fire was reported at Blackwell’s office at 101 N. 52^nd St. at around 4 a.m. this morning. Blackwell said city firefighters brought it under control quickly, but investigators, including the FBI, have not yet allowed him access to the office to assess the damage to computers and files.

Until the 52^nd Street office is back up and running, Blackwell and his staff will be operating out of his North Philadelphia Office at 3148 W. Berks St. The phone number is 215-978-2595.

Blackwell added that the fire has not affected his office’s ability to send or receive e-mail or his Internet site (www.pahouse.com/Blackwell).

“We can provide all the services out of West Berks Street that we could at North 52^nd, so people should not hesitate to call if they need my office’s assistance,” Blackwell said. “In the meantime, we’re working hard to get the main office open and running again as soon as possible.”

Due to the on-going investigation into the fire-bombing, Blackwell said he does not yet want to comment on the fire, other than to express appreciation for the quick action of city firefighters in extinguishing the blaze and relief that no one was injured.

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