Fire Marshals Arrest Brooklyn "Molotov Cocktail" Arsonist

February 21, 2018

***PRESS RELEASE***

 FIRE MARSHALS ARREST BROOKLYN “MOLOTOV COCKTAIL” ARSONIST

Fire Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro announced today Fire Marshals have arrested and charged a Brooklyn man for deliberately starting a fire with a “Molotov cocktail” at 741 Riverdale Avenue, Brooklyn on Saturday, February 17, 2018.

George Thomas, 35, of Brooklyn, is charged with arson in the first degree. On Saturday, February 17, Mr. Thomas is alleged to have filled two bottles with ignitable liquid and then lit one of the bottles on fire before throwing it onto the roof of El and John’s Barber Shop at 741 Riverdale Avenue, which was open for business with employees and customers inside at the time. The Fire Marshals’ investigation revealed Mr. Thomas had a dispute at the location earlier in the day.

“Deliberately igniting a fire on the roof of an occupied business is a reckless and dangerous act, which could have taken the lives of many innocent people,” said Fire Commissioner Nigro. “Thanks to the quick response by our Firefighters and the outstanding investigative work by our Fire Marshals, no one was injured and a dangerous person was apprehended.”

Firefighters were called at 12:47 p.m. and arrived in two minutes. The rapid response allowed Firefighters to quickly bring the fire on the roof under control without injuries to civilians or FDNY members. Firefighters notified FDNY Fire Marshals, who responded immediately to begin their investigation.

Please see the following link for surveillance footage of the incident. LINK

Please see following link for a photo of the suspect, George Thomas. LINK