NYC Landlord Sets Fire To Home With 8 Tenants Inside Following A Rent Dispute With Them
Family of Eight Narrowly Escapes Blaze in Cypress Hills
In a shocking incident in Brooklyn, a 66-year-old landlord, Rafiqul Islam, has been charged with attempted murder and arson after allegedly setting fire to his rental home. The horrifying act unfolded in Cypress Hills, where a family of eight, including six children, narrowly escaped the flames ignited by the enraged landlord.
The dispute arose when the tenants, facing financial challenges, ceased paying rent and resisted vacating the premises. Islam, reportedly incensed by their refusal to leave, took a drastic and dangerous course of action.
Legal Consequences for Arson Attempt:
Islam’s actions have landed him in serious legal trouble, as he faces a 59-count indictment. The charges include first-degree attempted murder, carrying a potential 25-year jail sentence, along with attempted assault and multiple counts of endangering the welfare of others. During his recent court appearance, Islam was ordered to be detained without bond.
Threats Preceding the Arson:
Before the incident on September 26, Islam had allegedly vocalized his intent to burn down the house amid the ongoing dispute. The rental property, a two-story, two-family house on Forbell Street, lacked a fire escape, leaving the family with only one exit – a door engulfed in flames during the incident.
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Dramatic Escape Amidst the Flames:
The family’s ordeal unfolded early in the morning when a renter on the second floor detected the smell of smoke. Investigating the source, they discovered the interior stairs ablaze. With no other escape route, the family, including children aged one to eight, resorted to jumping out of a back window onto the roof. Quick-thinking neighbors below caught the children safely in their arms, allowing the two adult tenants to also leap to safety.
Incidentally, a video purportedly taken moments before the arson captures Islam leaving the building with a mask, a bucket, and a trash bag. Reports suggest that he entered the premises equipped with these items, raising questions about premeditation.
This horrifying incident underscores the challenges faced by tenants in strained financial situations and the extreme measures some landlords may resort to in such disputes. Authorities are now ensuring that justice is served for this egregious act, as the affected family begins the process of rebuilding their lives.
