A 38-year-old man, identified as Roman Almatitla, has been accused of setting fire to a three-story building in Flushing, New York, resulting in the tragic deaths of four individuals. The charges brought against Almatitla include arson, murder, and assault in connection to the incident that occurred last month.
The fire claimed the lives of three adults and a three-year-old girl. According to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, the victims succumbed to smoke inhalation or sustained severe injuries while attempting to escape the blaze. Among the deceased were Chengri Cui, 49, Shin Chie Ming, 61, and the young girl, while Hong Zhao, 64, tragically leaped from a window, suffering fatal injuries.
Several individuals were injured during the incident, including two firefighters who had to be rescued after a staircase collapsed. Almatitla reportedly admitted to starting the fire out of frustration over losing his job that day, with no specific motive for targeting the building.
Almatitla was seen entering the building multiple times before purchasing beer from a nearby gas station, where he also obtained a lighter. Surveillance footage captured his movements before he returned to the building and allegedly ignited a fire near the exit on the second and third floors. Witnesses recounted harrowing scenes of people jumping from the building to escape the flames.
The building, which houses both commercial and residential spaces, had a history of violations dating back to 2020. Recent inspections revealed safety hazards, including extension cables connecting multiple floors. The tragic incident has left the community in mourning and raised concerns about the safety and maintenance of properties in the area.