Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Queens man indicted on murder charges in Flushing fire that killed 4
By
Giulia Heyward
Published May 12, 2026
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Giulia Heyward
Published May 12, 2026
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Queens prosecutors have upgraded charges against a man accused of setting a Flushing building fire that killed four people in March.
Roman Amatitla now faces first-degree murder, arson and other charges after he allegedly used matches to start the blaze and watched the building burn while drinking beer.
The 38-year-old Maspeth resident followed a woman into the ground floor of the building on March 16, the Queens district attorney’s office said.
Prosecutors alleged Amatitla started the fire by lighting a piece of paper and placing it on top of trash at the base of the building’s only stairwell exit serving the upper floors. Authorities said he later went to a nearby bodega on Main Street to charge his phone.
Three of the victims, including 3-year-old Sihan Yang, died from smoke inhalation, according to prosecutors. A fourth victim died after jumping from a window to escape the fire, suffering multiple broken bones and brain trauma.
Seven other people were injured in the blaze, including two FDNY firefighters who were treated for smoke inhalation and burns.
“As alleged, Roman Amatitla killed four people, including a 3-year-old girl, when he torched the building where they lived,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement. “He continues to be held in custody to assure accountability. This was a horrific crime that shocked the city.”
If convicted, Amatitla faces up to life in prison without the possibility of parole. He is scheduled to return to court on July 14.
An attorney representing Amatitla did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Tagged
public safety
queens
Giulia Heyward
Giulia Heyward is a breaking news reporter on the Day-Of desk. She previously worked at NPR, as a breaking news reporter, and the New York Times, as a reporting fellow on the national desk. Her work has also appeared in CNN, The Atlantic and Politico. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or more securely on signal at 917-715-1458.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Early Addition: Who's giving out those chic little Nordic gummies this Halloween?
Because the status trick-or-treat candy has arrived, here are your early links: NYC Marathon-themed early voting sticker, New Jersey's Socialist Party on the rise, Herald Square billboard fight and more.
By
James Ramsay
Published Oct 26, 2026 at 10:01 a.m. ET
In East Brooklyn, aging NYCHA homes get a $636M upgrade
The improvements to at the Reid & Park Rock developments come has the agency wrestles with a multibillion-dollar backlog in needed repairs.
By
Willow Higgins
News
In East Brooklyn, aging NYCHA homes get a $636M upgrade
The improvements to at the Reid & Park Rock developments come has the agency wrestles with a multibillion-dollar backlog in needed repairs.
By
Willow Higgins
What NYers can expect as open enrollment for health insurance begins
By
Caroline Lewis
Why New Yorkers should care about bats beyond spooky season
By
Catalina Gonella
Serbians forced to wait hours to vote at NYC consulate as Balkan nation holds election
By
Jill Webb
and
Michael Sol Warren
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .