A drunken vandal has been charged with setting the legendary Philadelphia International Records ablaze.
Chris Cimini, 27, of South Philadelphia, was charged Wednesday with arson, burglary, risking a catastrophe, criminal trespass and related crimes after surveillance video allegedly showed him setting the historic studio on fire Sunday morning, officials said.
While Cimini may be responsible for the arson, he was initially thought to be a victim. Firefighters rescued the man from the third floor of the building at Broad and Spruce Streets, officials said.
He was taken to the hospital for treatment and then released after questioning. But over the course of the investigation it became clear that it was Cimini who was responsible, police said.
Investigators say Cimini broke into the studio around 6 a.m. Sunday after a night of drinking in Center City.
Surveillance video captured Cimini banging on the record company's front door before eventually kicking in its glass to get inside, Police Capt. John Gallagher said Wednesday.
"We believe that he feels he is somewhere familiar based on his actions in the videotape," Gallagher said.
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Once inside, Cimini used his lighter to help make his way through the studio and ignites several combustible items in a closet on the third floor. He then tried to put the fire out with an extinguisher, but was unable to get it under control, Gallagher said.
The fire damaged gold records and destroyed photos but did not reach the famous recording studio where artists like Teddy Pendergrass and Patti LaBelle recorded their hits.
Songwriters Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, and their partner and producer Thom Bell have owned the building since 1970. They have vowed to rebuild at the site.
