Firefighters sawing into Coney Island Arcade thru the shutters to access fire. Photo © Adam Richman via twitpic
On the Coney Island Message Board and twitter, witnesses who live in the neighborhood began reporting a two-alarm fire at the Coney Island Arcade Building at West 12th Street and Bowery last night at 8:15 pm. The anonymous contributor who sent us the photo below said there were 7 fire trucks. The cause of the fire is unknown, but the FDNY scanner transcript reads: “20:42 hours – Duration 37 minutes. FieldCom: Transmit a 10-41 code 2 (Suspicious Fire, Vacant Structure), heavy volume of fire on arrival.”
The Coney Island Arcade and adjoining games are operated by Manny Cohen, who was attending an amusement expo in China. We’re greatly concerned about the damage to the building and his arcade business. One observer of the fire speculated: “The building structure is destroyed. They will need to build a new building there.”
We’re also concerned about the fate of the Coney Island Arcade’s beloved cats, Target and Targeretty, who live in the arcade. We frequently take photos of Target the Cat. Has anyone seen him or his sister? People on the scene informed the firefighters about the cats. We’re told that one of the cats was seen escaping from the building. (UPDATE: We just learned the sad news that Target’s sister Targette aka Targeretty died in the fire.)
On the Coney Island USA Message Board, the poster Coney Island Kid wrote: “I noticed the fire engines at approx. 8:15PM. looking toward W 12th St, I saw flames coming from the roof of the arcade at W 12th and the Bowery. Earlier today I saw workmen on the roof of that building applying a new layer of tar paper. The fire, from what I could see started inside, not on the roof.”
Photo taken a few days before the fire: Coney Island Arcade. May 2, 2010. Photo © Jim McDonnell. Jimvid via smugmug
On twitter, Adam Richman (mfbucket) reported “Firefighters sawing into coney island arcade thru the shutters to access” and “Smoke so thick u can’t see to the corner.” Photographer Bruce Handy told us by phone that the FDNY used a circular saw or acetylene torch to cut through the metal shutters. “The fire was stubborn because it was between the roof and the ceiling,” he said. “The firefighters had to cut open the roof to get at the fire.”
The firefighters also cut through the windows of the former Bank of Coney Island, which is next door to the arcade. But people on the scene said the arcade building was the only building damaged by the fire thanks to the fine work and fast response time of FDNY 161 and 153! The Coney Island Arcade Building is owned by Jeff Persily. Thor Equities owns the Bank of Coney Island Building, which is under threat of demolition.
Photo by Coney Island Photo Diary via flickr
Related posts on ATZ…
April 29, 2011: Burned Coney Arcade Building Finally Being Demolished
April 13, 2011: Coney Island Arcade Debuts Cobra, Braves Loss of Arcade
May 7, 2010: Photo Album: Coney Island Arcade Fire’s Awful Aftermath
May 6, 2010: R.I.P. Targette, the Coney Island Arcade Cat’s Shy Sister
Amusing the Zillion 
I am glad my kids got to play there.
http://whatyourdonotknowbecauseyouarenotme.blogspot.com/2010/04/its-coney-island-not-disney-world.html
Me too, bring them back on Memorial day weekend. They’ll love the new Luna Park.
PS Enjoyed hanging out with you by the pinball machine at the blog meetup!
Luna park looks great. Can’t wait.
Hay, Is Thor the God of Thunder. Maybe he threw some lightning last night????
As villainous as Thor is, we doubt they had anything to do with this particular disaster. It’s possible the fact that workers were tarring the roof that afternoon had something to do with the fire. FDNY will do a thorough investigation and then we’ll know for sure
I read elsewhere arson was suspected. Any word on that?
Losing a bit of structural integrity to the bank building helps Thor a lot.
This is such sad news and an incredible loss. Is the building a loss or is it salvageable?
I don’t know. I still smell a rat and I think it’s name is Thor Equities…..
RIP lil Targette :(
[…] Suspicious Fire at Coney Island Arcade Building […]
Thor/Sitt wanted Manny out for the longest. Remember that billboard Manny had out front for 3 years that was shaped like a coffin, had the original gag order on it and had Sitt’s picture.
If a tenant won’t leave after you serve them with an eviction notice, waht’s the second quickest way to get them to leave?
Manny will never be able to replace the games and repair the roof in tim for Memorial Day.
Blight the area, declare everything unsafe and get the condos/co-ops built.
Unfortunately it is unlikely the arcade will reopen in the damaged building.
Please note: As I mentioned at the end of my post: Thor Equities/Joe Sitt does NOT own this building and is NOT the arcade’s landlord. The owner of the building is Jeff Persily.
Thor owns the building next door-the former Bank of Coney Island, as well as the Grashorn, Henderson, and Surf Hotel–which are vacant except for a few tenants in the Henderson.
[…] Suspicious Fire at Coney Island Arcade Building: is this foul play, or just an accident a couple of weeks before the start of the season? […]