FIRE MARSHALS ARREST TWO IN CONNECTION
WITH YOM KIPPUR FIRE IN BROOKLYN
THAT LEFT 20 FAMILIES HOMELESS

Fire Marshals from the New York City Fire Department’s Bureau of Fire Investigation today announced the arrest of Peter Pierre, age 60 of 265 Lee Avenue in Brooklyn, N.Y., and William Jones, age 50 of 21 Nostrand Avenue in Brooklyn.

The arrests of Mr. Pierre and Mr. Jones followed an investigation into a 3rd alarm fire, which occurred on October 4, 2003, at 533 Flushing Avenue in Brooklyn. The blaze began in a vacant building and quickly spread to three other multiple dwellings, which also housed a grocery store, a dry cleaner and a synagogue. The fire left 20 families and 100 children homeless on the eve of that hasidic community's most solemn High Holy Day, Yom Kippur.

“The department applauds the outstanding investigative efforts of the Fire Marshals from the Bureau of Fire Investigations for their diligence in apprehending Mr. Pierre and Mr. Jones,” said Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta.

Both Mr. Jones and Mr. Pierre are charged with 3rd degree arson and reckless endangerment. If convicted of the most serious charges they could be sentence to 7-15 years in prison.

Contact: Francis X. Gribbon / David Billig (FDNY) (718) 999-2056

http://www.nyc.gov/fdny