Update on the fatal fire incident that occurred in Flushing, Queens on March 16th. The New York City Medical Examiner’s Office determined on March 27th that the fire was a homicide, and the police are currently investigating it as a major criminal case, suspecting arson.
According to the authorities, two of the four deceased have been identified as 50-year-old Chengri Cui and 3-year-old Sihan Yang. The identities of the other two victims, a 61-year-old woman and a 63-year-old man, have not been disclosed pending notification of their families.
The suspected arson took place around 12:30 pm on March 16th at a third-floor unit in a residential building at the intersection of Avery Ave and College Point in Flushing. The police believe the fire was intentionally set, and the Medical Examiner ruled it as a homicide, escalating the case to a criminal investigation. As of now, no arrests have been announced.
At the time of the fire, there may have been up to 12 squatters occupying the third-floor unit, which was not permitted for residential use. The police are questioning individuals present during the fire and are considering key suspects for investigation. The authorities have yet to officially confirm or disclose any suspects’ identities.
The building had a history of violations and had been partially vacated by the Department of Buildings (DOB). Records show that as early as 2020, the building was found to have illegal alterations, converting from a two-family dwelling to 5 “single-room occupancy” units and 9 bedrooms. Neighbors noted that the building had been poorly managed for a long time, with lax security measures, allowing easy access and posing serious safety hazards. The long-time owner of the building had passed away, leading to deteriorating conditions.
Witnesses reported hearing explosions during the fire, which rapidly spread, forcing multiple residents to jump from the building to escape.
Seven surviving tenants, including three women and four men, aged between 33 and 67, were treated for burns, smoke inhalation, and other minor injuries. Over 230 firefighters and emergency personnel responded to the fire, with multiple injured individuals taken to hospitals and some firefighters getting injured during the rescue operation. The case is still under further investigation. With the nature of the deaths classified as homicide, the police are focused on pinpointing the cause of the fire and related responsibilities. Authorities urge anyone with information to come forward to assist in the investigation.