Kings Plaza Mall reopens after massive garage fire

<p>Kings Plaza Mall reopened Wednesday morning in the wake of a massive fire in the mall's parking garage on Monday.</p>

News 12 Staff

Sep 19, 2018, 10:47 AM

Updated 2,137 days ago

Share:

Kings Plaza Mall reopened Wednesday morning in the wake of a massive fire in the mall's parking garage on Monday.
That fire shut down the mall for two straight days, halting business for its retailers.
The man accused of setting the fire, Evon Stephens, remains in custody. A law enforcement source says Stephens was charged in federal court Tuesday because the cars that went up in flames in the garage belonged to various car dealerships and involved interstate commerce.
Prosecutors say he admitted to starting the fire because he thought people were having sex in the parked cars. The criminal complaint says more than 135 vehicles were damaged.
The parking garage is also back open. There was no damage to the mall itself, but officials say the section in the garage where the fire happened has been sectioned off. 
The Department of Buildings told News 12 that there are no structural stability concerns with the garage, but a vacate order was issued for the part that was affected.
Many shoppers say they didn’t seem to get the message that Kings Plaza remained shut down Tuesday. They say the mall's closure put a dent in their plans.
"I got on three different buses and then I realized it was closed so I was like, 'Oh god,'" says shopper Shaun Day.
Officials say they are working on repairing the garage and removing the damaged cars. 


More from News 12
0:32
Police arrest man in connection to shooting murders in Clinton Hill

Police arrest man in connection to shooting murders in Clinton Hill

1:40
Nearly 300 probationary firefighters join the ranks of FDNY

Nearly 300 probationary firefighters join the ranks of FDNY

1:46
Sunny and warm weather with lower humidity for the weekend in Brooklyn

Sunny and warm weather with lower humidity for the weekend in Brooklyn

1:08
East Flatbush residents 'Occupy the Corner' for a safe summer

East Flatbush residents 'Occupy the Corner' for a safe summer

1:24
G train shutdown impacting Bed-Stuy commuters negatively

G train shutdown impacting Bed-Stuy commuters negatively

1:44
Gun detectors could arrive in NYC subway stations today as NYPD prepares pilot program

Gun detectors could arrive in NYC subway stations today as NYPD prepares pilot program

1:43
Welder Underground unveils ‘Rappin' Max Robot’ through apprenticeship program

Welder Underground unveils ‘Rappin' Max Robot’ through apprenticeship program

0:47
Attorney General James releases body camera footage of fatal officer-involved shooting in East Flatbush

Attorney General James releases body camera footage of fatal officer-involved shooting in East Flatbush

0:24
Police: Suspect wanted for punching 72-year-old man at 25th Street subway station

Police: Suspect wanted for punching 72-year-old man at 25th Street subway station

2:10
Boar’s Head deli meat recalled for potential listeria contamination

Boar’s Head deli meat recalled for potential listeria contamination

1:44
The Real Deal: How to save on expenses amid rising costs in New York

The Real Deal: How to save on expenses amid rising costs in New York

1:36
Students set to receive OMNY cards with more rides and less restrictions

Students set to receive OMNY cards with more rides and less restrictions

1:31
Tenants in Flatbush building say they are living with broken floors, mold, leaks and holes

Tenants in Flatbush building say they are living with broken floors, mold, leaks and holes

1:41
Neighbors describe MTA bus crashing into Burger King in Kensington

Neighbors describe MTA bus crashing into Burger King in Kensington

1:46
YMCA promotes swim safety services on World Drowning Prevention Day

YMCA promotes swim safety services on World Drowning Prevention Day

0:37
Brooklyn DA: Former teacher accused of enticing teenagers to send him explicit images

Brooklyn DA: Former teacher accused of enticing teenagers to send him explicit images

1:14
New lawsuits filed against Gov. Hochul's congestion pricing plan pause

New lawsuits filed against Gov. Hochul's congestion pricing plan pause

1:35
Rally outside Brooklyn Public Library calls for end to alleged 'power grab' from Mayor Adams

Rally outside Brooklyn Public Library calls for end to alleged 'power grab' from Mayor Adams

1:55
Residents say rats are taking over Sheepshead Bay street

Residents say rats are taking over Sheepshead Bay street

0:29
Southwest breaks 50-year tradition and will assign seats; profit falls at Southwest, American

Southwest breaks 50-year tradition and will assign seats; profit falls at Southwest, American