A man previously arrested 15 times was apprehended for allegedly throwing a Molotov cocktail that ignited a substantial fire at a Brooklyn business on Sunday, resulting in an injury to a firefighter, according to authorities and sources.
The suspect, 39-year-old Isidro Aquino, is accused of starting the blaze at approximately 1:45 p.m. inside a building located on Fort Hamilton Parkway near 53rd Street in the Borough Park area, as reported by the police.
After setting the fire, Aquino reportedly fled, leaving the flames to engulf a clothing store. The smoke also spread to an adjacent e-bike factory, where firefighters initially suspected the three-alarm fire had originated, sources and the FDNY confirmed.
“There was substantial smoke coming from the doorways,” FDNY Assistant Chief Michael Meyers informed reporters.
“It turned out the fire wasn’t there but in the neighboring commercial space,” Meyers explained. “The fire consumed large quantities of stock, which burned through the floor and eventually spread through the building and up to the roof.”
The incident prompted the response of 92 fire and EMS units, mobilizing a total of 200 personnel to tackle the blaze, according to officials.
One firefighter was hospitalized for minor injuries, but luckily no civilians were hurt, officials said.
“Anytime we can wind up with no firefighters hurt and nobody injured inside the occupancy except for some minor injuries… we take that as a win,” Meyers said.
Aquino was later picked up by EMS workers for public intoxication, and was taken to a local hospital which he left on his own, the sources said.
Once released, he brazenly returned to the fire scene, where fire marshals arrested him around 11 p.m., according to the sources.
Aquino was charged with arson as well as burglary for entering the building without permission, intending to commit a crime, cops said.
He is accused of entering through a rear door and rummaging through a cardboard box, police said.
His motive for allegedly setting the fire was not immediately known.
He was last arrested on April 28, 2017 for allegedly punching a 31-year-old man – a stranger – inside Sunset Park at Fifth Avenue and 43rd Street and stealing his jacket, cops said.
Aquino’s record also includes busts for criminal trespass, robbery, criminal possession of a weapon, drug possession and theft of service dating back to 2011, police said.
His arraignment on the new case was pending Monday evening.
