Nov 15, 2007 8:48 pm US/Eastern
3 Boston Bars Shut Down Under New Sprinkler Law
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
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Massachusetts bars and nightclubs with occupancy over 100 people must install the sprinklers as a new safety measure.
WBZ
Three bars in the city were shut down by the Boston Fire Department Thursday for failing to comply with the state's new fire safety law.
The law, which went into effect Thursday, requires any bar or nightclub with an occupancy of 100 or more people to install an automatic sprinkler system.
The bars shut down are Milky Way on Centre Street in Dorchester, Packy Connors on Blue Hill Avenue in Roxbury and Kay's Oasis on Blue Hill Avenue in Dorchester.
Two other establishments were also not in compliance with the new law: Sunset Grill on Brighton Avenue in Allston and The Barking Crab on Sleeper Street in Boston. Both will remain open because they are in the process of appealing the ruling.
The law was passed in the aftermath of the Rhode Island nightclub fire that killed 100 people in February 2003.
As of this week, dozens of establishments around Massachusetts had not yet complied with the new law and could be shut down if they fail to comply or seek an extension.
The Sit n' Bull Pub in Maynard was forced to close Thursday because of the new law.
Ted Epstein, who has owned the Sit n' Bull for almost 20 years, said it would cost him nearly $50,000 to install a sprinkler system.
"A few weeks ago it just came to me that it just didn't make sense," Epstein said Thursday.
"It's very hard to argue with something that is really intended to safeguard the public. And that's why I'm kind of resigned to it."
Bars and nightclubs that have applied for an extension have up to two months to install a sprinkler system. In order for the extension to be granted, bars and restaurants are required to have a down payment and a work order in place to get the sprinklers installed.
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(© 2007 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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