NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — An LGBTQ+ bar in Bushwick is hoping to raise thousands of dollars after a suspected arsonist started a fire that injured two people and forced its temporary closure.
The devastating blaze occurred Sunday night, according to Rash Bar, when a man wearing a dark hoodie and carrying a backpack entered their Willoughby Avenue spot and caused an explosion after spilling gasoline on the floor.
"Everyone inside made it out, but two people were brought to the hospital and are in stable condition," the bar wrote in an Instagram post.
Police said a 25-year-old woman was taken to Wyckoff Heights Medical Center with minor burns and a second victim was evaluated at the scene for minor burns to his shoulders.
"We still don’t know what to make of this cruel act of violence. In only five short months, we were privileged to become home to such a talented and vital community of artists. It breaks our hearts that anyone would seek to threaten that for any reason," the bar added.
The NYPD did mention if it was being investigated as a hate crime.
Staff said they are working with the investigators, but there are no arrests at this time.
The bar has set up a GoFundMe page in the hopes of raising $200,000 to help everyone affected, including employees "who will be out of work for the foreseeable future, and eventually the space's repair."
They continued, "We love you, and we will come back from this."
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