Suspect in Old Pink arson to be released to inpatient treatment facility

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The suspect in the arson at the Old Pink on Allen Street is being sent to an inpatient treatment facility, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said Friday.

John W. Burns, 40, is accused of burning down the popular Allentown bar on June 17 following an altercation earlier that night.

Burns will serve 28 days at the inpatient facility to address physical and mental health issues. It is unclear whether he will return to federal court to face charges. Those charges are maliciously damaging and destroying, and attempt to damage and destroy, by means of fire, a building and real property used in interstate commerce and in activity affecting interstate commerce.

A mental health and competency evaluation for Burns was ordered.

According to an affidavit earlier this month, Burns was approached by a patron confronting him about his behavior towards women. Burns allegedly attempted to fight the patron, who formerly worked security for the bar, before the patron knocked him over.

Following that encounter, Burns allegedly told the former guard, “I’ll be back motherf*****,” adding, “I’ll burn that b**** down” and “ain’t nobody going to have a job,” the affidavit states.

Video shows the building being burned down around two hours following the encounter. The affidavit said Burns appeared to start the fire with a propane plumbers torch.

Damages were estimated at $1.25 million. The bar, which had become beloved in the neighborhood, was torn down in the hours following the blaze. Fire dispatchers said on the scanner, “how do you put a price tag on the old Pink Flamingo?”

Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here .