Say Bronx Man Set 13 Fires In Month
A Bronx man was busted by FDNY marshals last week for allegedly setting 13 fires around Flushing between Aug. 20 and last Thursday, Sept. 13, including one three-alarm blaze that left 19 firefighters injured, it was announced.
Thien K. Dinh, 43, was arrested by marshals following a lengthy investigation. In each instance, according to the FDNY, Dinh allegedly lit rubbish and other combustible material to start the blaze.
“Arson is a callous crime that shows total disregard for the lives and property of those it impacts,” said Fire Commissioner Salvatore J. Cassano. “I commend our fire marshals in the Bureau of Fire Investigation for their tireless efforts to apprehend this individual whose actions have endangered the lives of New York City residents, injured many firefighters and caused a tremendous amount of property damage.”
Among the blazes which Dinh is accused of setting is the Aug. 20 three-alarm fire at a residential/commercial building located at 143-01 45th Ave. in Flushing at 2:55 a.m. on the morning of Aug. 20. Nineteen firefighters required treatment for injuries sustained while battling the fire.
Dinh allegedly set three other fires earlier that morning at 41-77, 42-65 and 41-25 Kissena Blvd. at piles of rubbish or inside a Dumpster between 12:20 and 1:16 a.m.
Other fires allegedly ignited by the Bronx resident include the following:
– a rubbish fire at 147-46 38th Ave. at 2:10 a.m. on Aug. 27;
– a rubbish fire at the corner of 45th Avneue and Kissena Boulevard at 3:42 a.m. on Aug. 28;
– a rubbish and car fire at 147-30 38th Ave. at 2:30 a.m. on Sept. 3;
– a Dumpster fire at 133-57 41st Rd. at 3:11 a.m. on Sept. 3;
– a rubbish and car fire at 42-42 Colden St. at 2:31 a.m. on Sept. 7;
– a rubbish fire at 137-05 Franklin Ave. at 2:40 a.m. on Sept. 7;
– a rubbish fire at 43-55 Kissena Blvd. at 2:48 a.m. on Sept. 7;
– a rubbish and car fire at 42-43 147th St. at 3:31 a.m. on Sept. 10; and
– a rubbish and car fire at 144-45 41st Ave. at 3:10 a.m. on Sept. 13.
Dinh was charged with multiple counts of arson, reckless endangerment and burglary. According to the Fire Department, he has 45 prior arrests for crimes such as burglary, property damage and criminal mischief.
Court records noted that Dinh was arraigned last Saturday, Sept. 15, in Queens Criminal Court before Judge Michael Yavinsky, who ordered him held without bail. He is scheduled to return to court on Oct. 3.
