Authorities say that a New York City landlord irate over unpaid rent set fire to a staircase with second-floor tenants still inside, prompting them to throw their children to neighbors from the roof. Two adults and six children required rescue.
Sixty-six-year-old Rafiqul Islam is charged with assault, arson, and attempted homicide, according to the New York City Fire Department on Friday. Officials claim he was enraged that the tenants failed to make rent payments and insisted on vacate.
The blaze broke out in a two-story apartment structure in Brooklyn on September 26.
Officials told New York station WPIX that investigators quickly discovered surveillance footage of an unidentified individual wearing a hood and mask entering and exiting the burning building prior to the police dialing 911.
It was a month, according to FDNY, that marshals conducted a video canvas to confirm the suspect’s identity before allegedly discovering an image of Islam wearing a disguise and hood.
“At the onset of the fire, there was speculation that he was responsible,” one resident told WCBS, a local CBS affiliate. “I see him frequently just strolling from house to house, visiting the properties he owns, but I am astounded that he was arrested.”
According to WPIX, Islam allegedly threatened occupants in the past with the termination of gas and electricity service. Additionally, he allegedly threatened to torch the residence if the rent was not remitted, according to information provided to the station by authorities.
A WCBS report detailed the perilous rescue. According to Shatfiqul Islam (whose relationship to the suspect is unknown), he and his companions were sleeping on the first floor of the building when they were startled by the sound of someone yelling “fire.” They fled to the rear and outdoors.
“Everyone is outside when they appear to be on the roof.” “Six children, a mother, and the father are all residing on the rooftop,” said Shatfiqul Islam. “They are endeavoring to throw the children while yelling, ‘Take them, take them.'”
When Shatfiqul Islam and his roommates apprehended four of the children, the parents reportedly leaped. Firefighters entered the residence and extracted the remaining two children.
“They were yelling,” said Sahil Uddin, a neighbor. “By the time the children finally left, the entire household was immediately filled with smoke.” It was impossible to see anything. It was abjectly awful.”
Seven individuals were transported to the hospital with minor injuries, as reported by WCBS. It took sixty fire and emergency medical services personnel and an hour to bring the blaze under control, according to the fire department.
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