WPIX 11 - June 21, 2012
by Ted WeinbergMIDTOWN SOUTH, NY (PIX11)-- FDNY Fire Marshals have arrested Tore Brox, 29, a tourist from Norway, for setting multiple fires in the New Yorker Hotel.
"Arson is a very serious crime with potentially deadly consequences," said Fire Commissioner Salvatore J. Cassano. "The quick actions by our Firefighters at this fire prevented a potential tragedy and the tremendous investigative work by our Fire Marshals quickly brought this individual to justice."
The fire started at approximently at 4:50 A.M. on the twentieth floor of the hotel. When the NYFD arrived they discoved that fires had been set in two different locations within the hotel. Luckily, the quick response by the force prevented the fire from spreading to the nearby stairwells and further trapping hotel guests.
After some investigation, the NYFD determined that Brox, who was visiting the country as a tourist, was responsible for the fire and he later fled the hospital where he was being treated for burn wounds. Surveillance by Fire Marshals led to his apprehension later that evening. Brox is charged with two counts of arson and two counts of reckless endangerment.
