MANHATTAN, NY – A brazen act of arson rocked Manhattan’s Chinatown in June, leaving one victim narrowly escaping with their life. Mario Lucas, now facing federal charges, allegedly doused a spa in flammable liquid and set it ablaze with an individual still inside. The incident, captured on security footage, sent plumes of smoke billowing into the neighborhood and sparked panic amongst bystanders.
According to court documents unsealed yesterday, the incident unfolded at approximately 4:46 p.m. on June 19th. Lucas entered the Spa and engaged in conversation with an employee, identified as the Victim. Minutes later, as the Victim moved to the back room, Lucas pulled a container of liquid from his backpack and began saturating the lobby. He then ignited the liquid with a lighter, instantly engulfing the room in flames.
The scene quickly devolved into chaos. Lucas, unable to open the front door, attempted to flee as smoke filled the Spa. Witnesses outside watched in horror as the building became an inferno. A quick-thinking bystander resorted to forcing the door open with a bar stool, allowing the Victim to escape approximately one minute before law enforcement arrived. The Victim survived, but the deliberate nature of the attack has sparked outrage.
Investigators swiftly tracked Lucas’s movements using security camera footage from surrounding businesses. The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Damian Williams, stated, “As alleged, Mario Lucas committed a horrific arson of a Manhattan business with a victim trapped inside. Luckily, the victim survived. This Office is committed to holding individuals who would commit violence in this City accountable for their crimes.”
The investigation was a joint effort between the ATF, the NYPD, and the FDNY. ATF Special Agent in Charge John B. DeVito emphasized the seriousness of the crime, stating, “This alleged heinous act of arson is unacceptable. Thankfully, the victim has survived.” NYPD Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell added, “This arson was not just a crime against a single victim, but a violent assault that endangered an entire community.”
Lucas has been formally charged with one count of arson. He was initially arrested on August 8, 2022, and the case has been assigned to Honorable Edgardo Ramos. If convicted, Lucas faces significant federal penalties for the deliberate and dangerous act that terrorized a Manhattan community. Acting FDNY Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanaugh described the act as “reprehensible,” and vowed to keep Lucas off the city’s streets.
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