On March 16th, a tragic four-alarm fire occurred on Avery Ave. in Flushing, resulting in the deaths of four individuals, including a 3-year-old child, and leaving over 10 others injured. The incident has now been officially classified as a “homicide case” by the authorities, suspecting that a squatter intentionally started the fire, leading to the fatalities, prompting an investigation into arson.
The fire broke out around 12:30 p.m. at 132-05 Avery Ave., a three-story illegally converted and sublet residential building with squatters residing inside at the time of the tragedy. Just four days prior to the fire, on March 12th, the landlord had won a court case for evicting tenants from the building, with an eviction order issued to be executed in October of the same year. The blaze occurring shortly after has raised suspicions of deliberate retaliation, as social media posts hinted at malevolent motives. Police are investigating the possibility of an occupant deliberately setting the fire.
In 2020, the New York City Department of Buildings had issued a partial vacate order for the building at 132-05 Avery Ave. following complaints about illegal modifications made by the property owner. This order was still in effect at the time of the fire. Moreover, during a January inspection earlier this year, the building was flagged for multiple fire hazards, including a corridor cluttered with extension cords, leading to a hearing scheduled for hazardous wiring issues on March 17th, a day after the fatal fire claimed lives. Government records indicate long-standing safety and management deficiencies within the property.
Originally a two-family residence, the property had been continuously reported for illegal alterations since 2012, subdividing the interior into multiple rooms, allegedly accommodating up to 60 individuals for occupancy.
By 2020, the Buildings Department confirmed the illegal conversion into single-room occupancy (SRO) units, featuring numerous lockable rooms with individual appliances and cooking facilities, significantly deviating from its original design purpose.
Simultaneously, the building suffered from inadequate or obstructed escape routes, diminishing the occupants’ ability to evacuate during fires. Complaints about hidden electrical panels behind refrigerators and abnormal wiring layout were reported by tenants, signaling blatant fire hazards discovered during pre-fire checks.
In early 2026, the property was identified as a “vacant, unsecured, unattended” hazardous structure, with damaged door locks allowing unrestricted access, lacking basic safety measures. Furthermore, the rear of the first floor and basement had been transformed into illicit gambling venues, exacerbating security risks and escalating human traffic within the vicinity.
Neighbors revealed that following the previous owner’s demise, the building had fallen into disarray due to a lack of management, deteriorating steadily over time. A nearby worker commented, “The building has always been chaotic, with the door frequently left open, accessible to anyone, no one taking care of it.”
Despite over 20 serious violations, numerous fines, and repeated complaints lodged against the property, enforcement actions had failed to rectify the long-standing issues. The Buildings Department had levied fines exceeding $300,000 for illegal conversions in 2021 and issued a partial vacate order, which the owner failed to comply with, even resisting inspections, leading to ongoing violations and worsening conditions. The imminent hearing surrounding the hazardous wiring matters remained pending until the eve of the tragic fire.