Man drank beer and watched after ‘setting house fire’ that killed four | World | News
A man accused of setting fire to a house that killed four people, including a three-year-old girl, was allegedly drinking a beer nearby as he watched the deadly blaze develop. Roman Almatitla, 38, was charged with arson, murder and assault following a fire at a three-story apartment building in Flushing, New York, in March.
Prosecutors allege Almatitla had just lost his job and wanted to vent his anger. They also said there was “no particular reason” for his presence in the three-storey building that day. According to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, the man entered the building several times before going to the gas station across the road, where he allegedly bought one beer, stole another and asked the cashier to borrow a lighter. When he was told he couldn’t buy cigarettes, prosecutors said he “made do with a pack of matches.”
Almatitla allegedly returned to the property, followed the woman inside as she answered the door, and burned a piece of paper before throwing it in the trash can next to the exit to the second and third floors.
The ground floor of the building was used as commercial and the upper floors were used as residences.
Chengri Cui, 49, Shin Chie Ming, 61, and a three-year-old girl died at the scene due to smoke inhalation, authorities said.
Hong Zhao, 64, suffered a brain injury and multiple broken bones after jumping out of a window in a desperate attempt to escape the flames. He later died in hospital.
About half a dozen other residents also had to jump from windows to survive, while two firefighters fighting the blaze had to be rescued after a staircase inside the building collapsed.
An eyewitness told WNBC he saw two people jump from the second floor and a woman yelling, “Baby, baby.”
The property has been subject to more than 50 violations by the Department of Buildings since 2020, officials said.
Investigators also uncovered an illegal gambling business operating on the ground floor in 2023, which led to a $23,000 fine.
The most recent breach, described as “disrepair,” occurred in January after inspectors found extension cords running from the first to the third floor.
