FDNY Seizes $250,000 of Illegal Fireworks from Bushwick Warehouse

By Michael Gonik

The skies over the next few nights may be a bit dimmer than one would expect in the lead up to the 4th of July in Brooklyn. According to ABC7, that’s because the FDNY came up on a solid score over the weekend, uncovering a sizable stash of illegal fireworks in Brooklyn.

Per the report, undercover fire marshals followed a tip to Everbright Trading Company, housed in a nondescript Bushwick warehouse on Flushing Avenue between Verick and Stewart Avenues, where two plainclothes investigators attempted to buy some low-grade pyrotechnics and spotted shelves full of contrabanded goods last week. FDNY moved on Sunday, June 29, to seize the stock, removing over 1,000 Roman candles, rockets, and sparkler-like fireworks from the facility. The haul was valued at roughly $250,000.

42-year-old on-site manager Lisen Pan was arrested and charged in the seizure for “criminal possession of a weapon, reckless endangerment, and unlawfully dealing with fireworks and dangerous fireworks.” FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker slammed firework peddlers and praised the collaborative work of marhalls and investigators in a statement. “Let me be clear: individual actions that endanger the public will not be tolerated. I am proud of the collaborative work between the FDNY and the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office in keeping our City safe,” Tucker said.

But the jury’s still out on whether this will even put a dent in this year’s pre-Fourth ignitions. Suppose we’ll see in the nights ahead.