UNION PORT — Three men were arrested after admitting their mock-battle using fireworks caused a massive blaze in a Bronx home that quickly spread to neighboring properties on Thursday, fire officials said.
Nabindranauth Nandalall, 23 and Shivnarine Lauchman, 23, and Alejandro Soler, 27, picked up fireworks in Westchester and brought them back to The Bronx where they began horsing around just before 4 p.m. on Thursday, the FDNY said.
Nandalall and Lauchman were charged with fourth-degree arson, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, and illegal possession of fireworks. Soler was not directly involved in the fight but was charged with illegal possession of fireworks, officials said.
“Thanks to the excellent and rigorous investigative work of FDNY Fire Marshals, three individuals are charged with the reckless endangerment of Bronx residents and nearly 200 Firefighters,” Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said in a statement.
“This fire is a reminder that fireworks are illegal in New York City and as witnessed in this fire can be dangerous to both Firefighters and civilians alike,” he added.
The fire started in the backyard of 1132 Olmstead Ave. and quickly engulfed the house and spread to neighboring homes and cars, officials said.
Nine people were reported injured including seven firefighters and one civilian with non-life threatening injuries, as well as one firefighter who was transported to Jacobi Medical Center in serious, but stable conditions. The firefighter has since been released.
