A two-alarm fire broke out at the Raven bar on Avenue A and 12th St. around 6:30 p.m. last Wednesday. The manager noticed smoke coming up through the kitchen’s floor and, as fire started to spread, managed to get everyone out of the bar. The building’s tenants were also safely evacuated. One hundred fifteen firefighters responded to the scene and brought the flames under control by 7:20 p.m. Word is the blaze may have started in the boiler, but the Fire Department’s press office said the fire is still under investigation. One firefighter and one civilian suffered minor injuries. Stoli, the bar’s beta fighting fish, also was reported to have survived. In addition to a goth gathering spot, during last year’s election Raven was known for being an East Village headquarters for the beat-Bush effort.
