A father and son who were locked in a bitter legal dispute with the landlord of their Queens print shop have been charged by federal prosecutors with setting the space on fire in February.
The suspects, Narinder Singh and Jawahar Singh, were each charged Thursday with malicious use of fire to destroy property in the Eastern District of New York.
Both were facing eviction from their shop on 101st Avenue in Queens and locked in a protracted legal battle with their landlord, according to a criminal complaint unsealed Thursday.
In the eviction proceedings, their landlord accused the shop of squatting in the building and signing a false lease that was not authorized by the owner.
A day before the fire, the shop filed an emergency application to avoid eviction, but that was denied by a judge, the complaint stated.
Prosecutors said that early the next morning, on Feb. 18, the Singhs ignited a large fire at the shop using a hot plate and paper towels.
Attorneys for the men did not immediately comment on the charges.
This is a developing story and may be updated.