BUFFALO, N.Y. — The fire at the Old Pink on Allen Street back in June was intentionally started.
Mayor Byron Brown and Buffalo Fire Commissioner William Renaldo confirmed that news Thursday evening. Commissioner Renaldo also confirmed that a person of interest has been identified in connection with the incident.
The Old Pink burned down on June 17 and had to be demolished.
"Video surveillance, along with witness statements and witness interviews have confirmed and is indeed an arson and we are looking at a person of interest," Commissioner Renaldo said.
Commissioner Renaldo said the video evidence that led to the arson determination was provided by the Old Pink.
"We were able to analyze that and look at that, and that's how we determined who this person was," Commissioner Renaldo said.
Commissioner Renaldo said the person of interest isn't in custody and didn't have any additional information about the person.
No charges have been filed as the person of interest has not been publicly identified yet.
City officials said damages are estimated to be about $1.25 million. Many people who mourned the business were eager to collect a brick as a memory.