Promoter avoids jail over for illegal warehouse party in Norfolk

NORFOLK

A party promoter charged with hosting an illegal New Year's gathering in a Park Place warehouse pleaded guilty to six fire and zoning violations Tuesday, and agreed to become an advocate for planning safe events in exchange for suspended jail time.

The party, held in a storage warehouse owned by a top city official, was broken up by Norfolk's Bar Task Force, which found the building overcrowded, with fire hazards such as propane tanks and dangling electrical cords inside.

In Circuit Court on Tuesday, Charles Burnell, who organizes dance parties under his businesses Restless Bodies and WeOK, received a two-year jail sentence and a $15,000 fine for six misdemeanor charges of overcrowding, endangering lives, blocking exits and changing the occupancy of the building.

His sentence was suspended on condition of two years of good behavior, 150 hours of community service, and attendance at several fire-safety seminars.

"Mr. Burnell said he's going to be an advocate for doing things properly," deputy city attorney Cynthia Hall said. "He's going to help get the word out, to let people know this type of event can result in really serious consequences."

The owner of the warehouse, Paul Filion, who is manager of transportation and downtown construction for Norfolk, said Tuesday that he had no knowledge Burnell had planned to stage a party there and that he learned of it after the task force's bust.

Hall said the party had nearly 400 attendees, and the building had only one unblocked exit door. Propane tanks were in use to power space heaters, and jury-rigged electrical wiring powered a DJ booth, a fog machine and laser lights.

As part of the plea agreement, Hall said, Burnell pledged to bring other party organizers to a hospital session on burn trauma and to view a video showing a 2003 Rhode Island club fire and its aftermath. The fire killed nearly 100 patrons and injured at least 100 more.

Burnell said the terms of his sentence made sense, and that he wants people to feel safe at his parties.

"It's definitely time for me to assume responsibility," he said. "I'm more than willing to cooperate."

Filion had rented the building, at 114 E. 25th St., to Paul Meyer, who then partnered with Burnell for the party. Meyer pleaded guilty to misdemeanor fire-code violations earlier this year.

A week after the party, Filion received a fire citation and was ordered to remove the propane tanks and fix the electrical system.

"The damage done to the building had to be reversed," Filion said, adding that he also started work on upgrading the electrical system. "I basically took the extra step to make the building safer for the right kind of tenants in the future."

He obtained a permit but in March failed a final inspection. In October, the city's building department allowed Filion's permit to expire without following up to ensure the work had been corrected.

Wayne Green, the city's bureau manager for neighborhood quality, said the building department on Tuesday informed his office that following up on expired permits was now its duty.

"I just don't understand how we could have a permit of this magnitude expire," Green said.

"There is a gap in communication. As of this morning, we're reviewing our processes as to how we review expired permits."

An inspector sent to the warehouse Tuesday found the electricity service disconnected, Green said. Filion said he hoped to get a final inspection this week.

"We're going to make him do what he's supposed to do," Green said.

Meghan Hoyer, (757) 446-2293, meghan.hoyer@pilotonline.com