BOSTON — A man has been arrested in connection with a bar fire at the Squealing Pig in Boston’s Mission Hill neighborhood.
Prasshida Baruwal, 23, of Everett, is accused of setting fire to the bar Tuesday morning. He faces charges of arson, breaking and entering at night to commit a felony, destruction of personal property and more.
“I thought it was an accident,” said Boston neighbor Diamond Nichols. “To be honest, it makes me a little nervous.”
Witnesses watch as bar is set on fire
Police said witnesses at the scene saw the suspect outside the bar, smashing glass and capturing video of Baruwal dressed in black. A witness saw the suspect drop what he thought was a burning napkin before the bar went up in flames, and surveillance footage confirmed the action.
Boston Fire Department was able to get the flames under control, but not before the bar was severely damaged and several nearby cars were melted.
“That’s scary. That’s scary,” says Cameron Kuck.
“It puts it into more perspective when it’s right next to you”
The area is full of students living off-campus.
“There are people walking around right next to and around the restaurant, so that’s scary. Someone is doing something super illegal, very dangerous, and if someone gets hurt, it’s just a federal matter, a crime,” said Kuck, who goes to Berklee College of Music goes.
Neighbors are stunned and angry that their favorite bar is gone this summer.
“We were just talking about the crime in the city. It’s all around us, but it definitely puts it into more perspective when it’s right next to you,” said Northeastern student Sydney Brikhahn
“We have to hope that something like this doesn’t happen again,” said Allie Ziegler, a student at Northeastern College.
Police are still investigating the incident.
Laura Haefeli
