By Forum Staff
A New Jersey man has been arrested for setting multiple fires in his own Astoria eatery last summer, Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro announced Sunday.
Asif Raja, 54, is charged with one count of arson that carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison, with a maximum sentence of 20 years if convicted.
Photo Courtesy of Joanna Graham/Mayoral Photography Office
“We are extremely grateful that no one was injured during this incident and for the collaboration between all the law enforcement agencies involved in bringing this individual to justice,” Fire Commissioner Nigro said.
According to the City Fire Department, on Aug. 4, at approximately 10:15 p.m., firefighters were called to Ignited Restaurant & Lounge on Steinway Street near 30th Avenue for reports of a gas odor where they discovered a water condition from the sprinkler activation as well as small separate fires throughout the structure that were extinguished prior to their arrival.
Asif Raja, 54, faces federal arson charges after he was caught on video starting several small fires at the aptly-named Ignited Restaurant & Lounge in Astoria on Aug. 4, FDNY officials said Sunday night.
N.J. man accused of setting fire to Ignited Restaurant & Lounge in N.Y., authorities say NJ.com 1/25/2021 Jeff Goldman, nj.com
A 54-year-old New Jersey man was caught on surveillance video setting fire to a restaurant in New York City last year, officials said.
Asif Raja is seen on the video pouring flammable liquid on tables at the Ignited Restaurant & Lounge on Steinway Street in Astoria, Queens on Aug. 4, according to the New York Fire Department and federal charging documents.
Sprinklers in the lounge, which also features Hookah extinguished the blaze before firefighters arrived around 10:15 p.m.
Raja is charged by federal authorities with one count of arson. He faces five to 20 years in federal prison if convicted.
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Queens restaurant owner accused of arson
By FOX 5 NY Staff
Published
The FDNY says a man was arrested for trying to burn down his restaurant
NEW YORK - The owner of a shuttered Queens restaurant is accused of trying to burn his own business down. The FDNY says the building s sprinkler system thwarted the plan.
The FDNY says Asif Raja, 54, of New Jersey, was arrested for allegedly using a flammable liquid to set multiple fires in the aptly named Ignited Restaurant & Lounge on Steinway Street in Astoria back on Aug. 4, 2020.
Firefighters were called for reports of a gas odor at 10:13 p.m. that night. They found the sprinkler activated as well as evidence of several small fires that were extinguished before they got there.