THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Wednesday, February 19, 1997          TAG: 9702190439
SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B3   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS 
DATELINE: FALLS CHURCH                      LENGTH:   24 lines

MAN CHARGED WITH ARSON AFTER BLAZE BADLY DAMAGES CLINIC

A fire heavily damaged an abortion clinic Tuesday night, and a man found inside the building was arrested and charged with arson and burglary.

The fire was reported about 8 p.m. at the American Women's Clinic, fire officials said. The blaze was quickly contained. There were no reports of injuries, although a janitor was in the building.

``The cause of the fire is still under investigation,'' said Barbara Gordon, a Falls Church spokeswoman.

A 38-year-old man was taken into custody, police said. His identity was not released.

Police discovered the fire while responding to reports of someone vandalizing the building by throwing rocks. The man who was arrested was found inside the building, which contains other offices in addition to the clinic.

KEYWORDS: FIRE ARSON