Four Fires Damage Nicaragua Embassy; FBI Suspects Arson

Four fires of suspicious origin destroyed the lobby of the Nicaraguan Embassy early today, and Nicaraguan diplomats blamed Reagan Administration rhetoric against the leftist Sandinista government for the attack.

The Secret Service and FBI were investigating the fires, which were reported at 4:48 a.m.

Police said they believe some pieces of cloth might have been set ablaze and tossed inside the front door.

Sarali Porta, assistant press officer at the embassy, said no group or organization has claimed responsibility, “but we believe this is a direct result of the high level of rhetoric of the Reagan Administration against our government.”