Mail ballots damaged after a postal service mailbox in Arizona caught fire

Approximately 20 mail-in ballots were damaged in a fire in Arizona. The Phoenix Fire Department and law enforcement officials are investigating.

A U.S. Postal Service mailbox caught fire Wednesday night, according to reports. Firefighters were able to put out the fire and investigators are looking into the cause.

“Approximately 20 ballots were damaged, along with additional miscellaneous mail,” Fire Department officials said, according to ABC 15.

The investigation is criminal in nature.

Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer said the office is awaiting further response from officials about voters who may have had their vote impacted.

“We encourage all voters who have used this mailbox in the last 36 hours to check the status of their ballots at https://BeBallotReady.Vote. Successful delivery is generally reflected on this site within 72 hours. Voters should be aware that tomorrow, October 25, is the last day to request a replacement ballot,” Richer said in a statement.