New York Sommelier Arrested for Lighting Outdoor Dining Structures on Fire

A New York sommelier was recently arrested for allegedly lighting numerous outdoor dining structures in Manhattan.

According to the New York Fire Department (FDNY), the man was identified as 35-year-old Caleb Ganzer, and he was arrested by Fire Marshalls on Thursday.

The FDNY said in a press release that Ganzer was first caught setting fire to an outdoor dining structure in the late hours of July 13. In a video posted to Twitter by the FDNY, Ganzer can be seen walking toward an outdoor dining area and lighting it on fire. The video appears to show Ganzer using a lighter to ignite the fires.

The outdoor dining area was owned by Prince Street Pizza, located at 27 Prince Street, according to the FDNY.

After lighting the outdoor dining areas on fire, the video shows Ganzer slowly walking away from the scene.

In a press release, the FDNY said, "After a thorough investigation and apprehension of Mr. Ganzer for the July 13th fire, FDNY Fire Marshals established a connection to earlier occurrences in lower Manhattan that fit the same pattern."

According to the FDNY, Ganzer was also accused of lighting "rubbish" on fire on June 26 at around 4:35 a.m local time "at the corner of Broome St and Centre St." The FDNY also said that Ganzer lit another outdoor dining structure on fire on January 8.

The January 8 incident occurred at the Forsythia Restaurant, located at 9 Stanton Street, according to the FDNY.

In the press release, New York Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said, "Every act of arson has the potential to spread rapidly, endangering the lives of New Yorkers and FDNY members."

Nigro continued, "Thankfully, in these incidents there were no injuries and the suspect has been apprehended before another fire could be set."

According to the FDNY press release, Ganzer has been charged with two counts of arson in the third degree; two counts of criminal mischief in the third degree; and three counts of reckless endangerment in the second degree.

"The case will be prosecuted by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office," the FDNY said.

Newsweek was directed to the press release after reaching out to the FDNY for comment.

Ganzer worked as a managing partner at the La Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels wine bar on Centre Street. In 2017, Food and Wine magazine named Ganzer one of the sommeliers of the year.

In a statement sent to The New York Times, the La Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels wine bar said, "We as the company are aware of the incident, and Mr. Ganzer is on a leave of absence."

While speaking with the Times, Jacob Siwak, the owner of the Forsythia Restaurant said that throughout January, a man wearing a beanie and scarf attempted to light the restaurant's outdoor dining structures on fire numerous times.

Siwak told the Times that two of the man's attempts to light the structures on fire were "pretty damaging," and noted that the restaurant paid around $3,500 to repair the structure after it was set ablaze.