On Aug. 23 around 2:30 a.m., 27-year-old bartender Manuela Vergara Salazar was working at La Oficina bar, 93-13 Roosevelt Ave., when a fire performance ignited the establishment. Alcohol reportedly splashed onto her, her hair and then her whole body caught fire, leaving severe burns with skin bubbled and melted. A bystander jumped in to put out the flames after staff allegedly failed to intervene. The victim feels she may have been targeted, and the family alleges serious negligence by the bar. NYPD reports indicate witnesses saw flames shoot higher than usual and patrons running. The bar has been contacted for comment.
Adriana Goden, the aunt of 27-year-old Manuela Vergara Salazar, said her niece was working at the La Oficina bar located 93-13 Roosevelt Ave. at around 2:30 a.m. on Aug. 23 when the horrific incident unfolded. She told amNewYork that a worker was allegedly performing some kind of fire show in the establishment during which he lit the bar on fire.
She feels like when she was close to the fire, they threw alcohol because she felt wet on her and then immediately caught on fire, Goden added. They didn't try to put the fire out, they didn't try to help her. They just stood there until a bystander jumped in. NYPD sources confirmed that the incident took place, stating in a report that witnesses told police that the flames shot higher than usual and sent patrons running.
Collection
[
|
...
]