A man is facing charges of arson, murder, and assault following a fatal fire in a three-story building in Flushing, New York, that resulted in the death of four individuals. Roman Almatitla, 38, allegedly started the fire out of anger after losing his job on the same day.
The tragic incident led to the deaths of three adults and a three-year-old girl, with others resorting to jumping out of windows to escape the flames. Victims included Chengri Cui, 49, Shin Chie Ming, 61, and the young girl, who died from smoke inhalation, while Hong Zhao, 64, sustained fatal injuries after jumping from a window.
Additionally, numerous individuals were injured during the fire, including two firefighters who needed to be rescued after a staircase collapse. Almatitla reportedly admitted to starting the fire without a specific motive and was observed purchasing beer and a lighter before allegedly igniting the blaze.
Surveillance footage showed Almatitla at a nearby petrol station before returning to the building, where he reportedly lit a piece of paper with matches and placed it in a trash can on the second and third floors. The building, consisting of commercial space on the first floor and residential apartments on the upper levels, witnessed harrowing scenes as people attempted to escape the flames.
Authorities revealed that the building had a history of violations, with over 50 citations issued by the Department of Buildings since 2020. In 2023, inspectors discovered an illegal gambling operation on the premises, resulting in a substantial fine. Most recently, a violation for failure to maintain the property was recorded in January this year due to unsafe electrical practices.
The tragic incident has sent shockwaves through the community, prompting a closer examination of building safety regulations and enforcement in the area.
