An individual has been apprehended in connection to a fire that reportedly destroyed a building in Brooklyn. According to the Fire Department of New York (FDNY), the suspect, Cassius Moss, has been charged with arson related to a serious blaze that struck a three-story mansion on Lafayette Avenue last Wednesday night.
FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker noted the severity of the incident, emphasizing that the fire endangered both residents and firefighters alike. “This reckless individual risked lives when they ignited this fire,” Tucker stated, commending the efforts of the Fire Investigation Bureau for their work in bringing Moss to justice.
During the firefighting efforts, some firefighters sustained injuries, which highlights the intense conditions they faced. Investigators managed to gather crucial video evidence that led to the identification of the 54-year-old suspect involved in starting the blaze.
Commissioner Tucker pointed out that Moss was captured on surveillance footage at a nearby deli. The footage shows him wearing a white T-shirt and selecting a bottle of an accelerant from the store’s shelf, just moments before the arson incident.
Moss allegedly carried the accelerant to the building, pouring it on the floor and using a lighter to set the place ablaze before fleeing the scene. This isn’t his first run-in with the law; he had previously been arrested by the Fire Investigation Bureau back in July 2023. As of Tuesday, he is facing charges spearheaded by the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office.
The FDNY released a post showcasing footage of firefighters battling the flames billowing from the severely damaged building. Upon arrival, the firefighters found that all three floors of the structure were already engulfed in fire, quickly spreading to the adjacent property.
According to Tucker, the building where Moss allegedly started the fire has completely collapsed, while significant damage occurred to the neighboring structure as well. A total of 138 firefighters worked tirelessly for over four hours to bring the fire under control.
Moss now faces multiple charges, including second-degree arson and first-degree reckless endangerment.
