June 8, 2006
Desperate Quest for Copper Led Greenpoint Fire
A pair of homeless man have been arrested for starting the fire that caused the NYC's biggest blaze (this side of the World Trade Center). Leszek Kuczera, a 59 year old Polish immigrant, and another as-yet unapprehended homeless man were attempting to burn the insulation off copper wire by setting eight tires on fire, but the fire got out of control. Kuczera was arrested and charged with arson, buglary, reckless endangerment and petty larceny; he told fire marshals he did not mean for the fire to burn down the warehouse.
Fire marshals say that burning insulation off copper is common, especially with copper prices rising (plain copper is $125 a pound, whereas insulated copper is $0.75). The NY Times and the Daily News profile Kuczera, who came to the city about 15 years ago and lost work and a home because of his alcoholism.
The lawyer for developer Joshua Guttman, who owns the property as well as others that had mysterious fires, said, "The property owners are relieved that they have been vindicated." However, Brooklyn DA Charles Hynes has charged Guttman, his son Jack, and others involved with Guttman's company with "434 counts of Failure to Maintain Privately Owned Waterfront Property, one count for each day the Gutmans failed to repair dilapidated piers and crumbling concrete bulkheads after being ordered to by the city Department of Small Business Services Dockmasters."
The Terminal Market consists of six building lots, four of which abut the East River and stretch from Milton Street south, to the center of the block between Oak and Calyer Streets. The corporations which own those four, 91 West, L.L.C.; 73 West, L.L.C.; 57 West L.L.C.; and 24 Oak L.L.C. are all charged with the violations, Unclassified Misdemeanors each punishable by a fine of up to $5,000. Joshua Guttman is the managing member of all four corporations, and Jack Guttman is vice president of 24 Oak L.L.C.That's almost $3 million in fines, but that's probably a drop in the bucket, since Guttman paid $42 million as a down payment on the land. Guttman is looking to concentrate on the development now.Dockmasters first cited the property owners for the damaged and unsafe piers and bulkheads on Jan. 21, 2005. When the agency’s inspectors returned to the property March 30, of this year, they noticed that the problems had not been corrected.
Gothamist on the Greenpoint Warehouse Fire.
Photograph by Dima Gavrysh/AP
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I feel bad for him.
Dennis, I agree. I'm not usually the bleeding-heart, feel terrible for the homeless guy kind of gal, but this seems like an accident that got way out of control. The fact is, that had the building been kept up properly, this would never have happened. The Guttman family is probably thankful for this fire anyway, as now they can get insurance money and begin the redevelopment they wanted.
That's what happens when you hire alcoholics to do your dirty work for you. Poor old grandpa.
ain't that the truth,
are we in NYC or bumtown,
burning tires, stripping insulation off copper wires. now I've heard everything.
I thought the NYC building code required ROMEX.
3 meals a day. A free education and free healthcare.
Does anyone honestly believe that these guys are guilty?
If you've been in this city for more than 10 years, you'll know there's something fishy about this case.
Solving an arson crime in record time,
and now looking for his accomplice, I say by the end of the weekend.
I want to see the stats on arson cases and how many are solve this quickly.
look at the guy, a french blue shirt and white jeans? (look at the cop a black shirt and a white suit)
burning off insulation? Let the recycler do that and get your money ASAP.
The guy did start a huge fire while looting a building. He's lucky no firefighters were killed or injured while putting out his "accident."
"Homeless guy, put this shirt on. You're gonna look respectable when we haul your ass in front of the media!
Alright, that's enough buttons. Let's go."
Sentenced to: a lifetime of sitting in on Landmarks Comission hearings!
I dont buy it.
There is free education. But you have to attend to get it! Remember, it takes a village!
Crunches are your friend.
Oh I totally believe he was an accomplice...still way to neat and clean for Guttman.
However, the slow-burning fire just MIGHT explain the huge explosive sound we heard coming from the direction of the scene the previous evening.
i've seen him around the neighborhood for years. i feel bad for him too. damn...
Beware females who read Gothamist:
There's some guy --posing as KYLE --trolling this site claiming it's ok for women who are alone to let men into their apt/place of business/etc so they can be raped or robbed: next time you see him trolling, please give him a piece of your mind....
Readers, this is what ABC Girl is referring to above on Kyle:
http://www.gothamist.com/archives/2006/06/08/brooklyn_beauty.php#comments
Please read all their comments, and you'll see obviously that is not what he's advocating. It's pretty pathetic for ABC Girl to distort and blast someone's comment in ANOTHER post, first time I've seen this...
ABC Girl is f*cking dumb. Read the thread that Vin posted above. Stop spewing dumbass comments "ABC Girl" and go back to the drudge report....
Glad to see that convicting homeless alcoholics for accidentally burning down a neglected abandoned eyesore is a priority. Should've let the entire m*fker burn for pure entertainment value, then arrest Guttman for being a sleazy developer.
Brokelyn,
You\'re obviously another idiot and a friend of Kyle\'s... fck off.
not a friend and not an idiot, but you truly are an ass. i bet you just moved to NYC or you are 15. go back to kansas.