INWOOD, Manhattan (PIX11) — An arrest was made in connection with a Manhattan apartment fire that killed three people, according to authorities.
Victor Arias, 29, was charged with three counts of negligent homicide in connection with the May 4 early-morning fire, police said.
Arias, who lived in the building on Dyckman Street, was allegedly seen throwing out a lit cigarette into cardboard boxes, causing them to ignite, according to the FDNY.
Fire officials said the fire started on the first floor of the six-story building and quickly spread through eight apartments. Almost 200 firefighters responded to combat the flames.
Photo of the damage caused by a fire at 207 Dyckman St. in Inwood, Manhattan, after a deadly fire. (Credit: FDNY)
Photo of the damage caused by a fire at 207 Dyckman St. in Inwood, Manhattan, after a deadly fire. (Credit: FDNY)
Photo of the damage caused by a fire at 207 Dyckman St. in Inwood, Manhattan, after a deadly fire. (Credit: FDNY)
Photo of the damage caused by a fire at 207 Dyckman St. in Inwood, Manhattan, after a deadly fire. (Credit: FDNY)
Photo of the damage caused by a fire at 207 Dyckman St. in Inwood, Manhattan, after a deadly fire. (Credit: FDNY)
Photo of the damage caused by a fire at 207 Dyckman St. in Inwood, Manhattan, after a deadly fire. (Credit: FDNY)
Photo of the damage caused by a fire at 207 Dyckman St. in Inwood, Manhattan, after a deadly fire. (Credit: FDNY)
Photo of the damage caused by a fire at 207 Dyckman St. in Inwood, Manhattan, after a deadly fire. (Credit: FDNY)
Three people were killed, 14 others were injured and around 100 people were displaced by the fire, according to the American Red Cross. Five of the injured were said to be in critical condition, officials said.
The victims were identified as 25-year-old Lance Garcia, 48-year-old Yolaine Bienvenida Diaz Dominguez and 73-year-old Dominguez Lantigua, according to the complaint.
Spencer Gustafson is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered New York state and city news since 2023. See more of his work here.
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