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Man Allegedly Set Fire To 'Cursed' Brooklyn House, Trapping 16 Inside
By
Jen Chung
Published Jun 1, 2018
Modified Jun 1, 2018
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By
Jen Chung
Published Jun 1, 2018
Modified Jun 1, 2018
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A 37-year-old man was charged with attempted homicide, arson, and reckless endangerment after a serious fire broke out in a Brooklyn home earlier this week. The FDNY found surveillance footage of the suspect going to a gas station to fill a container with fuel.
The fire department responded to the blaze outside 622 East 80th Street in Canarsie around 2:18 a.m. on Monday, finding what it called "a serious fire in the three-story structure, with fire extending from the first floor throughout the building, and furniture blocking occupants from escaping via the front door entrance."
Security camera video from a neighboring home shows a fire suddenly blast out from the front of the house and a figure running away.
The fire was under control by 3 a.m. and firefighters were able to get 16 people out of the house to safety.
After Fire Marshals determined that an accelerant was used, they found security camera footage from a nearby gas station, allegedly showing Sean Figaro filling a gas can.
Figaro had previously lived in the house. A source told the Daily News, "He believed that he was cursed. He used to live in that residence with that family and got into a longstanding dispute with them before he left in 2015. He said he had a run of bad luck after he left, so be believed he could reverse the curse if he set the building on fire."
The victims told NBC New York that Figaro set fire to their car a few years ago, with one remarking, "Troubled man, he make problem all the time."
"Setting a fire at the entrance of home, in the dead of night, trapping 16 people, is a heinous act which could have easily resulted in a major loss of life if not for the rapid response and outstanding efforts of our Fire and EMS personnel," said Fire Commissioner Nigro. “Thanks to a thorough investigation by our Fire Marshals, a dangerous individual whose callous actions nearly took many lives has quickly been apprehended."
Figaro faces 16 counts of attempted murder, one count of arson, two counts of reckless endangerment and one count of criminal mischief.
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arson
attempted murder
canarsie
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Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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