Diner owner charged with arson

NORWOOD Investigators say he hired someone to set the fire that destroyed his diner and two other businesses in the Norwood section last month.

The five-alarm blaze on East 204th Street was a severe economic blow to the neighborhood.

Prosecutors say 52-year old Mohammed Abdul Quadir was in debt and recently bought a half-million dollar insurance policy on the diner.

They say he hired 53-year old Christopher Gooding to set the blaze.

Gooding was arrested three weeks after the fire on arson and other charges.