A fire in a Queens building, which had a history of violations, has resulted in the deaths of four individuals, including a young child. Authorities are now investigating the incident as a homicide, as reported on Sunday.
The tragic event took place on March 16 at 132-05 Avery Avenue in Flushing, where the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has classified the fire as a homicide.
According to the New York City Police Department, the fire claimed the lives of 3-year-old Yan Sihan and 50-year-old Chengri Kui, along with two other victims who are yet to be named.
So far, the investigation being conducted by the police and fire department continues, and no arrests have been made.
Building records indicate that the property had accumulated 55 violations since at least 1998, with 16 violations — many linked to unauthorized apartment conversions — still active at the time of the fire.
One particular violation from 2003 stated that the occupancy had been altered beyond what was permitted for a duplex. This issue persisted for 23 years, even after the property changed owners.
During an inspection in August 2020, officials found that a legal duplex had been illegally converted to hold five single-occupancy units along with nine extra beds, according to complaints filed by the Department of Buildings (DOB).
Inspectors had previously ordered that the second and third floors be vacated, and this order remained in effect at the time of the fatal fire.
While some of the violations noted in the August 2020 inspection have been addressed, several others remained unresolved six years after the fire spread through the building, the records reveal.
