A Maspeth man has been charged with murder and arson after authorities say he deliberately set a fire inside a Flushing apartment building that killed four people, including a 3-year-old girl, and injured several others, including two FDNY firefighters.
Roman Amatitla, 38, faces eight counts of second-degree murder, first-degree arson and multiple assault charges in connection with the March 16 blaze at a three-story building at 132-05 Avery Avenue in Flushing, according to the Queens District Attorney’s Office. He was arraigned and ordered held without bail. If convicted, he faces up to 25 years to life in prison.
Prosecutors allege the fire was intentionally set and that the building was chosen at random, with no known connection between the defendant and any of the victims.
According to the investigation, Amatitla entered and exited the building multiple times shortly before the fire started around 11:43 a.m. He then went to a nearby gas station, where he purchased a beer, stole another, and requested a lighter. When denied, he obtained a pack of matches.
Authorities say he returned to the building, lit a piece of paper on fire, and placed it on garbage near a stairwell. Smoke quickly spread through the structure as the fire grew.
Investigators allege Amatitla remained outside and watched as the building burned.
Four people died as a result of the fire. A 3-year-old girl, Sihan Yang, was found on a third-floor bed and pronounced dead at the scene. Two other victims, Chengri Cui, 49, and Shin Chie Ming, 61, also died inside the building from smoke inhalation.
A fourth victim, Hong Zhao, 64, jumped from a window to escape the flames, suffering severe injuries including multiple fractures and brain trauma. He later died at a hospital.
The fire also left multiple others injured. Two FDNY members responding to the blaze fell into the basement when a staircase collapsed during rescue efforts. Both were taken to the hospital with smoke inhalation and burns.
Four additional residents were injured after jumping from the building to escape the fire, and one remains hospitalized. Another occupant was rescued from a second-floor window and treated for smoke inhalation.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz described the incident as a “mass murder,” citing the alleged randomness of the attack and the number of victims.
The case is being prosecuted by the Queens District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau. Amatitla is due back in court on April 13 as the investigation continues.
Photo: FDNY
