Coconut Charlie's Employee Fund Created After Fire, Reward Set Up

PASADENA, MD — The fire that heavily damaged Coconut Charlie’s sports bar and grill in Pasadena was intentionally set, and federal authorities have now joined the search for the arsonist. The Anne Arundel County Fire Department says damage from the fire has been estimated at $200,000; one firefighter suffered minor injuries at the scene.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Anne Arundel fire officials have announced a $5,000 reward for tips that lead to the arrest and conviction of the person who set the July 28 fire at the bar and grill, located at 9129 Fort Smallwood Road.

While the restaurant is closed, its employees are searching for work elsewhere and a GoFundMe page has been set up to help the displaced workers with some of their expenses. "All donations will be given directly to the staff," organizers said. "Additionally if anyone knows of places that are hiring cooks, security or bartenders and could pass that information along that would help the staff as well. Everyone is trying to stay positive and cannot wait to be back with the community when the bar is reopened."

You can donate to the Coconut Charlie's Employee Help fund here.

“We thank the ATF for their support in our continuing relationship and encourage anyone with information to call the anonymous TIPS line,” said Anne Arundel County Fire Chief Allan Graves in a statement. “We are thankful that the injury to our firefighter was minor. However, the results could have been much worse,” he said.

Officials have not said how the blaze was set or where it started in the business. The fire has been classified as incendiary, and the investigation is being led by the Anne Arundel County Fire and Explosives Investigation Unit with help from the ATF Baltimore Field Division, according to a news release.

The two-alarm fire was reported at 3:05 a.m. July 28 at the business. Firefighters reported fire on the side of the one-story structure, and found heavy fire in the attic area of the restaurant. A second alarm was requested, bringing 75 firefighters to the scene. The fire was extinguished in about 90 minutes, and caused extensive damage to the building, including a partial roof collapse.

“Arson is an extremely violent crime that not only destroys property, but also places firefighters, first responders and the general public at great risk,” said Daniel L. Board Jr., Special Agent in Charge for the ATF Baltimore Field Division. “The ATF, along with the Anne Arundel County Fire Department and our other law enforcement partners, are committed to ensuring that our communities are safe and that those who commit these dangerous acts are held accountable.”

On its Facebook page after the fire Coconut Charlie's thanked everyone who has reached out to support the business. On Tuesday the business said that along with the ATF reward, the bar "will even throw in a nice lifetime bar tab. Help us catch whoever is responsible."

Anyone with information about the arsonist is asked to call the ATF 24/7 hotline at 888-ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477) or send an email to ATFTips@atf.gov. You can send a text anonymously via the ReportIt® mobile app, available through www.reportit.com, using the ATF Baltimore Field Division as the location. Or, tips can submitted by calling AACoFD at 410-222-TIPS or use the online form.

»Photos of Coconut Charlie's fire in Pasadena courtesy of the Anne Arundel County Fire Department; photo of damage courtesy of GoFundMe