BOSTON – A man has been arrested in connection to a bar fire at the Squealing Pig in Boston’s Mission Hill neighborhood.

Prasshida Baruwal, 23, of Everett, is accused of setting the bar on fire on Tuesday morning. He is charged with arson, breaking and entering at nighttime to commit a felony, destruction of personal property and more.

“I thought it was by accident,” says Boston neighbor Diamond Nichols. “Honestly, it does make me a little nervous.”

Witnesses watch as bar is set on fire

Police said that witnesses on the scene spotted the suspect outside of the bar, breaking glass and taking videos of Baruwal dressed in black. One witness spotted the suspect dropping what they thought was a lit napkin before the bar exploded into flames, and surveillance video confirmed the action.

The Boston Fire Department was able to control the flames, but not before the bar was severely damaged and several nearby cars were melted.

“That’s scary. That is scary,” says Cameron Kuck.

“Puts it into more perspective when it’s next door to you”

The area is full of college students living off-campus.

 “There are people walking around right next to and around the restaurant, so that is scary. Someone is doing something super illegal, very dangerous, and if someone gets hurt, that’s totally like a federal thing, a crime,” says Kuck, who goes to Berklee College of Music.

Neighbors are stunned and upset that their favorite bar is gone for the summer.

“We were just talking about crime in the city. It’s all around us but obviously puts it into more perspective when it’s next door to you,” says Northeastern college student Sydney Brikhahn

“We’re going to have to hope that something like this doesn’t happen again,” says Northeastern College student Allie Ziegler.

Police are still investigating the incident.

The Celtics are bringing back their top bench shooter for the 2024-25 season — and, they hope, beyond.

Boston on Saturday exercised the $2.1 million team option in Sam Hauser’s contract, according to multiple reports. The Celtics also reportedly plan to begin negotiating an extension with Hauser in the coming weeks.

The Boston Globe was the first to report the team’s decision, the deadline for which was Saturday afternoon.

Hauser joined the Celtics as an undrafted rookie in 2021 and developed into a core member of Boston’s rotation. The 26-year-old Virginia product appeared in 79 games this season, setting career highs in nearly every statistical category (22.0 minutes, 9.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists per game). His 42.4% 3-point shooting percentage ranked 11th in the NBA.

Consistency was an issue for Hauser during the Celtics’ playoff run, but he rebounded from a rough Eastern Conference finals to shoot 47.8% from three in the NBA Finals (11-for-23) and deliver a few unexpected defensive highlights against Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic.

By picking up Hauser’s option, the Celtics will return all five starters and their top three reserves (Al Horford, Payton Pritchard and Hauser) from their title-winning roster, though starting center Kristaps Porzingis is expected to miss at least the first month of the upcoming season after undergoing leg surgery this week.

Frontcourt backups Luke Kornet, Xavier Tillman and Oshae Brissett will be unrestricted free agents, and Neemias Queta has a team option.

The Celtics added two new pieces through this week’s NBA draft, selecting Creighton wing Baylor Scheierman in the first round (No. 30 overall) and Gonzaga forward Anton Watson in the second (No. 54).

“Everybody on our roster, we love having here,” president of basketball operations Brad Stevens said Thursday in his post-draft news conference. “We’ll continue to work on filling out our roster for the upcoming season, but there’s no doubt that we’ll really value continuity of that.”

As for whether Boston and Hauser will reach an extension agreement, Stevens declined to discuss the forward’s contract status on Thursday but said the Celtics “want Hauser to be here for a long time.”

If Hauser does not sign a long-term deal, he would become an unrestricted free agent next offseason. The same is true for starting guard Derrick White, who is eligible for a four-year extension worth up to $127 million.

Entertainment, parades, and historic reenactments return to beloved Fourth of July festival

Boston, MA – June 13, 2024 – Boston Harborfest, one of the country’s largest Fourth of July festivals, returns to Boston Harbor and Downtown Boston for its 42^nd edition July 1-4. The long-running festival, celebrating Boston’s revolutionary history and its everyday vibrancy, will feature dozens of events and activities, including live entertainment, historical re-enactments, integration with U.S. Navy Week, fireworks, and more. The latest event schedule is now available at www.bostonharborfest.com.

The festivities begin Monday, July 1 at 12:00 p.m. in Downtown Boston with an official Harborfest kick-off, cake-cutting, and salute. Music, re-enactors, and events will fill Boston that afternoon and the following three days, with activity centered in Downtown Crossing, Christopher Columbus Park, and on Boston Harbor.

“Boston is at its best when its residents and visitors convene for events across a backdrop of history,” said Dusty Rhodes, president of Conventures and organizer of Harborfest. “We are thrilled to team up with the City of Boston and the Downtown Boston Business Improvement District for this annual celebration of summer and our city.”

New for 2024, some Boston Harborfest events will include performances and programming from the US Navy, which is visiting Boston for Navy Week. The Navy Band will perform a pre-fireworks concert on July 2 at Christopher Columbus Park, and again on July 4 at Long Wharf as the USS Constitution sails past. Also new this year is the inclusion of three days of an outdoor beer garden in Downtown Boston for guests 21 and older. Family-friendly events such as Chowderfest, an ice cream social, and concerts are entirely free and will fill Downtown Boston and Christopher Columbus Park on the harbor’s edge.

“The rich history and culture of Boston comes alive for Harborfest,” Downtown Boston BID President Michael Nichols says. “Downtown is the perfect backdrop for recalling the American Revolution, honoring our country’s move to freedom, and celebrating the dynamic city and country that has emerged ever since. Residents and 4th of July visitors will love the events, the music, the art and the people-watching here and on the waterfront during Harborfest week.”

An annual tradition, Harborfest fireworks will fly over Boston Harbor at 9:15 p.m. on July 2. On Thursday, July 4, the City of Boston’s Independence Day Celebration will step off from City Hall Plaza and process through Granary Burial Ground and the Old State House for a reading of the Declaration of Independence. For more Harborfest information and a complete list of activities, please visit www.bostonharborfest.com, and follow event updates on Harborfest’s Facebook page, @BOSHarborfest on Twitter, @bostonharborfest on Instagram, or follow the conversation using #BostonHarborfest.