Queens Man Charged With Murder After Deadly Apartment Fire

A 38-year-old Queens resident has been charged with multiple counts of murder following a deadly fire in New York City that killed four people, including a toddler, last month, authorities said.

According to prosecutors, Roman Amatitla faces charges related to an intentionally set fire at a residential building in Queens on March 16. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz described the incident as a “random” act, noting that the building had no connection to Amatitla’s personal or professional life and calling it “one of the greatest crimes that this borough has seen in a very long time.”

Court documents indicate that Amatitla entered and exited the building several times before eventually starting the fire. Prosecutors allege he purchased a box of matches and stole a beer from a local gas station, then returned to the building, ignited a piece of paper, and placed it on a pile of garbage in a stairwell. Surveillance footage and witness accounts reportedly show Amatitla drinking a beer outside and watching as the blaze spread.

The fire resulted in the deaths of 3-year-old Sihan Yang, 49-year-old Chengri Cui, and 61-year-old Shin Chie. A fourth resident, 64-year-old Hong Zhao, was fatally injured after jumping from a window in an attempt to escape. Authorities said four additional people sustained injuries—some severe—while two firefighters were hurt after a staircase collapsed during rescue efforts.

Prosecutors stated that Amatitla admitted he knew the building was occupied and acknowledged that residents would be harmed. He reportedly told investigators he set the fire to release anger after being fired from his job, though there was no known connection to the building or its occupants.

Roman Amatitla now faces eight counts of second-degree murder, arson, and additional charges. If convicted, he could face 25 years to life in prison. The investigation into the incident remains ongoing.