264 Arson Fires. 2 Perspectives.

The true story that inspired Backdraft.

A co-production between Philamedia and Steve Rotfeld Productions

THE CONTEXT

In the summer of 1982, the city of Boston was under attack. Over several months, 264 buildings were set on fire resulting in millions of dollars in damages and hundreds of injuries. Burn Boston Burn explores the conspiracy of nine men determined to wreak havoc on the city and the investigators who brought them to justice.

With unprecedented access to the ATF Special Agent in charge of the investigation, Wayne Miller, and the lead arsonist, known as Mr. Flare, Burn Boston Burn is a twisted tale of political deceit, internal corruption, and warped vigilantism. This series reveals the crimes that shook the city of Boston and sparked the major motion picture Backdraft starring Kurt Russell. For the first time, those who lived through it will tell the true story behind the largest arson conspiracy in American history.

THE ACCESS

For years, the city of Boston had no idea who was lighting the fires. What nobody expected was this was the work of nine men, including three Boston cops and a firefighter. Their clandestine escapades include a stolen police car dumped in Boston Harbor, an extortion letter, and secret plots to murder witnesses. What pushed them to become vigilante arsonists has always been the biggest question. Now, for the first time, the inner workings of this criminal operation will be brought to light by the arsonist at the center of the ring.

Known to the public as Mr. Flare, this mysterious figure was the conspirator responsible for devising and building the bombs that ignited fires across Boston. He hand-crafted the threat letter sent to police, and his high level of intelligence was instrumental in plotting each arson. Once at the heart of the conspiracy, he would ultimately flip to become the key informant who helped investigators take the whole ring down. After nearly a decade in prison, Mr. Flare was released into the witness protection program where he has been hiding for over 30 years.

MR. FLARE SPEAKS

In this groundbreaking doc series, Mr. Flare will come out of witness protection and tell his story for the first time. His name is Gregg Bemis, and he is ready to share everything.

In his own words, Bemis will reveal how the conspiracy formed in direct response to the “reckless" layoffs of hundreds of firefighters and police officers by Mayor Kevin White, a politician with his own complicated legacy. He'll share his gut-wrenching experiences as a dispatcher and volunteer firefighter witnessing civilians, including innocent children, perish within mere feet of defunded firehouses. He'll confess how the conspirators vowed to make officials pay - no matter the personal risk. And he'll relive his convictions that no one else die while politicians played games... then suddenly having to flip his tactics once his co-conspirators started plotting murderous revenge of their own.

THE AGENT

Wayne Miller is a former Special Agent, Criminal Investigator, and Certified Fire Investigator for the U.S. Treasury, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. During his 25 year career with ATF, he was the key agent behind numerous high-profile criminal cases involving illegal firearms, bombings, and arsons across the country. Agent Miller has examined more than 2,300 fire and explosion scenes.

The highlight of Wayne's illustrious career was the case he's coined: “Burn Boston Burn." He was responsible for discovering key evidence and flipping criminal conspirators involved in the Boston fire sprees. This case consumed his life. He was called to a scene the night his daughter was born, leaving his wife and newborn baby at the hospital. The pressure became so great, it even led to the end of his marriage. Wayne wound up sacrificing everything to take down the largest arson ring in American history. He has since gone on to write the self-published book, Burn Boston Burn, about his experience.