6/21/2010 - FDNY Fire Prevention Inspectors and Fire Marshals Lead to Arrest of Bar Owner

A joint effort by FDNY Fire Prevention Inspectors and Fire Marshals led to the June 13 arrest of the owner of Manhattan's Apotheke Bar, for use of unsafe pyrotechnic activities in his establishment.

Supervising Inspectors James Grant and John Stabner of the Fire Prevention's Public Assembly Unit investigated Mr. Albert Trummer, owner of the bar on Doyers Street in Chinatown on May 15.

They had received an anonymous tip that the owner was performing a "show" that involved dousing the 20 foot bar with high-proof alcohol and setting it on fire.

They issued a number of violations, including orders to discontinue use of an open flame without a permit, discontinue use of an open flame on the premise, provide flame-proofing affidavit for all drapery throughout, provide roll-down gates that are in the open and locked position while the establishment was open to the public and maintain all occupancy to 74 persons.

When Mr. Trummer did not adhere to these infractions, fire marshals from the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) began an undercover investigation.

Members of SIU visited the bar on several occasions over two weeks time. During this investigation they witnessed Mr. Trummer performing the "show," which they said created such a substantial fire, patrons had to back away from the bar because of the heat.

At around 2 a.m. the marshals arrested Mr. Trummer and charged him with reckless endangerment and criminal nuisance.

Chief Fire Marshal Robert Byrnes said, "This had all the makings of another Rhode Island Station Nightclub incident [where more than 100 people died and 200 were injured]. It was a great effort by both Fire Prevention and the Bureau of Fire Investigation; the members should be credited for their life-saving work."


Author:FDNY Press Release