A tragic fire in New York City’s Queens borough has led to the arrest of 38-year-old Roman Amatitla, who is accused of starting a blaze that killed four people, including a 3-year-old girl. Authorities say the attack appears to have been random, with no known connection between the suspect and the victims.
Arrest and Charges
Amatitla was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force at his home in Queens. According to the New York City Police Department, he now faces multiple serious charges, including eight counts of murder, 12 counts of assault, eight counts of arson, and four counts of petit larceny.
Police say he had no prior arrest record and did not know any of the residents in the apartment building he allegedly targeted.
What Happened
The fire broke out on March 16 inside a three-story apartment building in Flushing. Investigators say Amatitla allegedly entered the building without any connection to it, set a piece of wood on fire, and used an accelerant to quickly spread the flames.
The fire escalated rapidly, engulfing the building and requiring more than two hours and 74 units from the FDNY to bring it under control.
Victims and Community Impact
Four people lost their lives in the fire, including 3-year-old Sihan Yang and 50-year-old Chengri Cui. Two other victims, aged 61 and 63, have not yet been publicly identified.
Several others were injured, and witnesses described horrifying scenes as victims were carried out of the building. One resident said the intensity of the fire made it clear that lives were being lost.
No Clear Motive
Authorities have not identified a motive behind the alleged attack. Surveillance footage reportedly shows Amatitla stealing a can of beer from a store the same day, though it remains unclear whether that occurred before or after the fire.
It is also unknown whether he stayed near the scene or fled immediately after starting the blaze.
Building Safety Concerns
The building itself had a troubling history of safety violations. Records from the Department of Buildings show nearly 60 violations over the past three decades, with 16 still open at the time of the fire. Many of these were related to illegal conversions and overcrowding.
A 2020 inspection found that the property, originally a two-family home, had been unlawfully modified to house multiple single-room units with additional beds, raising concerns about safety and fire risk.
