A 38-year-old man has been charged with murder and arson after allegedly setting fire to a mixed-use building in Queens, an act prosecutors say was a random outlet for his frustration over losing his job. The blaze, which occurred on March 16, resulted in the deaths of four people, including a 3-year-old girl, and left several others injured ABC7 New York.
Roman Almatitla was arraigned on Thursday on charges including murder, arson, and assault, all with a depraved indifference. According to a criminal complaint, Almatitla allegedly admitted to starting the fire for no particular reason other than needing a place to vent his anger regarding a job loss. Prosecutors further allege that Almatitla watched the three-story structure burn even as drinking a beer.
The tragedy has also cast a spotlight on severe building code failures. Authorities revealed that the structure, located on Avery Avenue between College Point Boulevard and Saull Street, had more than 50 violations issued by the Department of Buildings since 2020. Most critically, the upper floors where the fatalities occurred were subject to a partial vacate order issued in 2020 due to illegal apartment conversions, meaning no one should have been residing in those spaces.
Timeline of the March 16 Blaze and Arrest
The events leading to the disaster were captured largely on surveillance video, according to the district attorney’s office. Prosecutors allege that Almatitla visited a gas station across from the building, where he is accused of buying a beer, stealing another beer, and taking a book of matches. He was subsequently charged with petit larceny in connection with the stolen beverage.
The criminal complaint states that Almatitla followed a woman into the building, lit a piece of paper, and dropped it into a trash can. This fire was ignited near the only exit for the second and third floors, effectively trapping residents in the upper apartments. Almatitla then allegedly exited the building and watched the fire progress while drinking his beer.
The human cost of the incident was devastating. The medical examiner’s office found that three of the victims died from smoke inhalation. A fourth victim died of blunt force trauma to the head after jumping from a window to escape the flames. In total, CBS News reports the fire killed one child and three adults.
The desperation to escape was evident as nearly a half-dozen people were seen on surveillance video jumping from different windows. Several were hospitalized with extensive burn injuries; one individual who jumped from the third floor reported suffering broken ribs and severe foot pain weeks later. Two firefighters were treated for thermal burns and smoke inhalation after a staircase connecting the floors collapsed during the emergency response.
Systemic Failures: Over 50 Building Violations
While the arson was the immediate cause of the deaths, the Department of Buildings (DOB) records suggest a long history of negligence regarding the property. Since 2020, the building had accumulated more than 50 violations. In 2023, inspectors discovered an illegal gambling operation on the first floor, resulting in a $25,000 fine and an NYPD arrest.
The most alarming revelation is the disregard for safety orders. In 2020, the DOB issued a partial vacate order for the second and third floors after finding illegal apartment conversions. Despite this, residents continued to live in those spaces. As recently as January 2026, city investigators found extension cords running from the first floor to the third, marking a failure to maintain the property.
When questioned about the enforcement of these orders, a DOB representative clarified that the agency does not physically remove residents when a vacate order is issued. Instead, the responsibility lies with the property owners to ensure that illegal spaces remain unoccupied. Following the fire, full vacate orders were issued for the building and a second nearby structure that sustained damage.
Key Details of the Criminal Case
- Defendant: Roman Almatitla, 38.
- Charges: Murder, arson, and assault (all with depraved indifference), and petit larceny.
- Evidence: Surveillance video and two videos in which the defendant allegedly admits to starting the fire.
- Legal Status: Held without bail after a judge determined he is a flight risk.
- Defense: Attorney Vivian Cedeno has stated her client intends to launch a vigorous defense.
The case underscores a lethal intersection of individual volatility and systemic urban neglect. The “random” nature of the target, combined with the existence of illegal housing in a building already flagged by the city, created a scenario where residents had almost no viable means of escape once the fire blocked the primary exit.
Roman Almatitla remains in custody. The legal process will now move toward further hearings to determine the progression of the murder and arson charges. We will provide updates as the court proceedings unfold.
World Today Journal encourages readers to share their thoughts on urban housing safety and the enforcement of vacate orders in the comments below.