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Federal agents looking into abortion clinic fire

The blaze at the scene of weekly protests was set, authorities think. It caused minor damage.

WEST PALM BEACH - Federal investigators are looking into a fire that damaged an abortion clinic where protesters have staged weekly demonstrations for more than a decade.

The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives joined local authorities in investigating the Monday night blaze at the Presidential Women's Clinic.

No one was in the building during the fire and no injuries were reported. There was moderate smoke, fire and water damage, Fire Department spokesman Phil Kaplan said.

It appeared that lighter fluid or a similar accelerant was used to start the blaze, Kaplan said.

Two months ago, authorities investigated an arson attempt at the clinic.

Helen Reid, vice president of public policy for Planned Parenthood of the Palm Beach and Treasure Coast, called on city officials to address the repeated incidents.

"How are they going to protect the citizens of West Palm Beach to make sure anyone who enters any health care facility feels safe? Because the environment in Florida right now has gotten out of hand," Reid said.

Reid is one of several people who escort patients entering the clinic on Saturdays, when as many as 70 protesters hold demonstrations. Reid said most are peaceful, praying and singing. But a small number repeatedly harass patients and employees. They use a bullhorn to yell at patients, videotape them and display graphic photos.

The fire forced the Presidential Women's Clinic to close on Tuesday. Officials did not say when it would reopen.

Florida has a history of violence against abortion clinics and doctors who perform abortions.

A July 2004 fire damaged another Palm Beach County clinic and a 2003 blaze damaged one in neighboring Broward County.

Paul Hill was executed in 2003 for the 1994 murder of a Pensacola doctor and his escort outside an abortion clinic.

Those slayings came one year after Michael Griffin murdered a doctor at another Pensacola clinic. He is serving a life sentence.

A decade earlier, two young couples bombed three Pensacola abortion clinics on Christmas Day 1984. No one was injured in those attacks. The two men were released after serving about half of their 10-year federal prison terms. The women received probation.

Federal authorities investigating Monday's fire did not return phone calls Tuesday.

[Last modified July 6, 2005, 00:48:04]