Guilty plea in record company arson
By Allison Steele and Troy Graham
Inquirer Staff Writer
The South Philadelphia man charged with setting a fire at Philadelphia International Records pleaded guilty in court this morning, admitting he was so drunk he didn't even remember what happened.
Firefighters rescued Chris Cimini, 28, from the third floor of the building, at Broad and Spruce Streets, on the morning of Feb. 21.
Cimini, of the 2700 block of South Fairhill Street, was treated at a hospital and released, then arrested three days later.
The fire destroyed gold records and priceless photos, and damaged the building where artists such as Teddy Pendergrass and Patti LaBelle recorded some of their hits.
Chuck Gamble, a company vice president and nephew of songwriter Kenny Gamble's, estimated damage was "in the millions."
The fire spared the recording studio that spawned the Sound of Philadelphia, its walls covered in their original orange shag carpet.
The studio's master recordings are kept in a vault outside the city.
Cimini had no affiliation with the record company, owned by Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff, and Thom Bell.
Read more: https://www.philly.com/inquirer/breaking/news_breaking/20100713_Guilty_plea_in_record_company_arson.html#ixzz0tfyIc9kD
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