Alleged arson killer lit Queens house on fire to ‘get out his rage,’ prosecutors say
Gothamist • • nation
Key Points:
- Roman Amatitla, 38, was arraigned on multiple murder and arson charges for setting a fire in a Flushing building that killed four people, allegedly to "get out his rage" after being fired from his job.
- Prosecutors said Amatitla did not know the victims, ignited the fire in the building's vestibule, then watched as residents screamed and jumped from windows; he also faces assault and petit larceny charges.
- The fire on March 16 killed a 3-year-old child, two adults whose identities were released, and two others whose identities remain undisclosed; all deaths were ruled homicides by medical examiners.
- Over 200 emergency personnel responded to the fire, which spread through multiple apartments, injuring several people including two firefighters who fell when a staircase collapsed.
- The building had a history of housing violations and poor conditions, and Amatitla, who had no prior criminal record, was held without bail pending trial, facing up to 25 years to life if convicted.
