Blue Fusion club ordered to close

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The city of Springfield has ordered the Blue Fusion Bar & Grill to close after learning they were operating illegally for over two months.

City Solicitor Edward Pikula told 22News that Blue Fusion Bar & Grill lacked liquor, entertainment, and food licenses, all of which expired at the end of last year.

Pikula said city records show the club was closed as of January 1, 2010. Just last week, the club owner sent in an application to the city asking to open a new business.

"On Thursday, they appeared at a hearing requesting that they have a package store license to serve beer and wine, and that application was turned down,” Pikula said.

Pikula also said the owners of this building owed the city of Springfield $11,425 in back taxes.

On Saturday, 17-year-old Conor Reynolds was fatally stabbed outside the club, while at a birthday party.

The capacity of the club was supposed to be 97 people. But more than 250 people, mostly teens, had gathered there for a birthday party. Springfield Police Sgt. John Delaney said no security was on hand and that many of the teens were drinking before entering the club.

Records show the owners of the building and the club are Tony Taylor and Edward Newton. 22News contacted their attorney Frank Caruso of Springfield. The person who answered the phone at the attorney’s office told 22News Mr. Caruso was 'out of state.' Our phone call has not yet been returned.

Springfield Fire Department Spokesman told 22News Wednesday, that an inspection of the Blue Fusion Bar and Grill that Conor Reynolds was killed at, found that there were no fire code violations.