FDNY Fire Marshals Arrest Two on Charges of Arson

(left) Mohammed Abdul Quadir. (right) Christopher J. Gooding.
Fire marshals arrested both men in connection with a fifth-alarm fire in the Bronx.

FDNY fire marshals arrested two men on charges of arson in connection with the fifth alarm fire in the Bronx on Dec. 21.

Mohammed Abdul Quadir, 52, owned the restaurant - called American Diner - where the fire originated. He was arrested on Jan. 14. Christopher J. Gooding, 53, was arrested on Jan. 15.

Fire marshals said Mr. Quadir was in deep debt and paid Mr. Gooding to start a fire in the restaurant so he could collect insurance funds.

Charges include arson and reckless endangerment.

Two firefighters suffered minor injuries while fighting the fast-moving fire, which was reported at 0430 hours.