FDNY Fire Marshals Arrest Suspect for the Possession of $250K of Illegal Fireworks
June 28, 2025
The Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) Commissioner Robert S. Tucker announced Saturday that Fire Marshals arrested Lisen Pan, 42, for the sale of illegal fireworks. In a collaborative effort between the FDNY's Bureau of Fire Investigation (BFI), the Bureau of Fire Prevention (BFP), and the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office, more than 1,000 illegal fireworks, with an estimated retail value of $250,000, were seized.
"Fireworks are dangerous and life-threatening, and they have no place in the hands of the public. The members of the FDNY's Bureau of Fire Investigation and Fire Prevention are dedicated to keeping New Yorkers and FDNY members safe. This operation is proof. This multi-agency effort led to the removal of a large quantity of illegal and hazardous fireworks. Let me be clear: individual actions that endanger the public will not be tolerated. I am proud of the collaborative work between the FDNY and the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office in keeping our City safe," said FDNY Commissioner Tucker.
"Fireworks are illegal in New York and can be especially dangerous in the closed confines of our city. The massive amount of powerful fireworks allegedly possessed by this defendant made his conduct not only unlawful, but also a danger to public safety that necessitated decisive action. I'm grateful for Fire Department Marshals and other partners who worked together with my office on this case and call on all New Yorkers to celebrate responsibly next week," said Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez.
Working off a tip from the Riverhead Long Island Fire Marshal's Office, FDNY Fire Protection Inspectors and Fire Marshals launched an investigation into a Brooklyn business called Everbright Trading Company, located at 1177B Flushing Avenue. Fire Marshals visited the location two times in plainclothes, observing several shelves stocked with numerous types of illegal fireworks.
BFI and BFP contacted the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office and their investigators to coordinate on the case. On Tuesday, June 24 undercover members of the BFI Special Investigations Unit and the DA investigator team attempted to purchase fireworks. The team froze the location, secured a search warrant, and discovered the large quantity of fireworks. The recovered items included aerial "cake-style" rockets, handheld Roman candle-style fireworks, and large sparkling devices.
Pan, the on-site manager, was arrested and charged with criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, reckless endangerment in the second degree, and unlawfully dealing with fireworks and dangerous fireworks. Additionally, BFP issued seven criminal summonses and three FDNY summonses for the illegal storage of fireworks without a permit, obstruction of sprinkler heads, and the obstruction of means of egress.
The case will be prosecuted by the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office.
In New York City, all consumer fireworks, including sparklers, are illegal to use, buy, sell, or transport. Call 911 to report illegal fireworks sale in progress, people storing large amounts of fireworks, or fireworks that are an imminent threat to your personal safety.
Lisen Pan, 42, was arrested and charged with criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, reckless endangerment in the second degree, and unlawfully dealing with fireworks and dangerous fireworks.