Romanian embassy fire in Bern prompts witness appeal

Swiss police are still seeking witnesses after a fire they believe was deliberately started outside the Romanian embassy in Bern.

Bern cantonal police said initial findings indicated an unidentified person placed a burning object near the embassy fence on Monday and that the fire spread to nearby vegetation.

An embassy employee put out the fire before the Bern fire brigade arrived as a precaution and set up a fire watch. Police said no one was injured, but property was damaged.

Police have opened an investigation and asked anyone who saw suspicious activity near the Romanian embassy or has relevant information to come forward. A Bern cantonal police spokeswoman said Friday that the witness appeal remained active.

Romania's foreign ministry said Wednesday that Swiss authorities considered the incident minor, but had opened an investigation because it happened near an embassy. It said Romania was cooperating with Swiss authorities.