Some local clubs did not comply on sprinkler law

Two popular nightclubs have been shut down for failure to install automatic sprinkler systems in accordance with a state law.Café El Caney at 64 Baldwin St., and Sori’s Restaurant at 48 Market St. were ordered closed today according to Lynn Fire Dept. Lt. Robert Bourke, who said the clubs missed the state deadline for installing sprinklers.The law, which requires any club with occupancy of 100 or more to install sprinklers, was passed in the wake of the 2003 deadly nightclub fire at The Station nightclub in West Warwick, R.I. that killed 100 people and injured 200 more.Since then, local fire departments have been assigned the task of identifying establishments in their communities that must install sprinklers.Three other clubs that were in danger of being shut down – Celley’s Pub at 742 Western Ave., Fenix at 517 Washington St., and the Blue Note Lounge at 111 Sagamore St. – are in the process of installing the systems and will be granted a 30-day extension to do so.”There are workers on the sites doing work right now,” Bourke said. “Until they finish, they’ll receive an extension of their existing occupancy.”Bourke said he has yet to receive word from either Café El Caney or Sori’s.”My guess is that I’ll be asking the local board to suspend El Caney’s liquor license and the last I heard was that Sori’s is out of business,” he said. “They haven’t contacted us at all and I don’t know what’s going on over there.”Bourke said there are several different ways to approach enforcement for the clubs that refuse to comply, however, he said he would rather they remain open than be shut down.”Unless they have a certificate of inspection signed by the fire and building departments under the new law, the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) can revoke their liquor license,” he said.Restaurants, lecture halls, places of worship or other places of assembly have been ruled exempt from the law.Tom Gandolfo, owner of Christinas at 55 Boston St., previously said he was in the process of closing the hotspot and that the building was under agreement with a new owner to become a Brazilian restaurant.But Bourke said he has yet to hear from Gandolfo about the plans.”There are rumors that the building has been sold and that the intention is to go with a buffet-style restaurant in its place,” he said. “In that case, they wouldn’t be required to install a sprinkler system if there isn’t a nightclub. But, if that’s not true, then we’ll have to have a talk with the new owner.”A final reminder was sent to Lynn bars and clubs on Sept. 7 outlining the compliance responsibilities.In Revere, Fire Chief Eugene Doherty said all of the clubs in question have submitted plans of some sort and have been granted a temporary certificate of inspection.Beachmont, Caravan and Mirage submitted plans, but not a signed contract according to Doherty, while Bill Ash’s is currently in a dispute over coverage.”They had one plan that didn’t cover the entire building and were told that they had to revise their plan,” he said.Big Lou’s is the only club that has yet to submit a contract according to Doherty, who said he has been playing phone tag with their attorney.”We’ll give them until today to contact us and submit plans,” he said.The Italian American Club is appealing the sprinkler installation requirement to a state board that is responsible for reviewing challenges to the deadline.