Posted on: April 14, 2026 07:00 AM

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NYC man charged with murder over fire that killed 4 including child in Queens

Police arrested a man in connection with a deadly fire at an apartment building in Queens.

On Wednesday, the NYPD announced that Roman Amatitla, 38, of Elmhurst was charged with murder after allegedly starting the March 16 fire.

Four people in total died during the fire in a mixed-use building with several violations, including for illegal apartments,

The deceased were identified as Sihan Yang, 3, and Chengri Cui, 50. A 61-year-old woman and a 63-year-old man who also died have not yet been identified by officials pending family notification.

Amatitla is facing eight counts of murder, 12 counts of assault, eight counts of arson, and four counts of petit larceny, according to the NYPD.

Amatitla appeared to have no connection to the burned apartment building or any residents who lived there, sources told the New York Post.

The March 16 fire was first reported in a three-story mixed-use building on College Point Boulevard in Flushing, Queens around 12:30 p.m.

Firefighters arrived on the scene within five minutes, according to FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore, who provided an update after the fire was brought under control.

In total, around 230 FDNY and EMS personnel responded to the four-alarm fire.

According to FDNY officials, the building contained commercial space on the first floor and five apartments spread throughout the second and third floors.