Man arrested after massive Bed-Stuy apartment building fire deemed arson
The blaze broke out June 4 at 922 Lafayette Ave.
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Police arrested a man in connection to a fire that tore through an apartment building in Bed-Stuy last Wednesday, after the NYPD deemed the fire an act of arson.
The blaze broke out June 4 at 922 Lafayette Ave. The flames quickly spread to neighboring buildings at 920 and 924 Lafayette aves., causing significant damage and displacing multiple families.
Cassius Moss, 54, was arrested, accused of using an ignitable liquid to set fire to 922 Lafayette Ave.
Among those impacted was Starr Payne, who had moved into 920 Lafayette Ave. just four months earlier with her two teenage children and a friend of her daughters.
Payne says she rushed out of the apartment after seeing the building next door engulfed in flames. Minutes later, the fire had reached their home.
Everything inside was destroyed, including her daughter Ieisha’s prom dress. Prom is next week.
“It felt like a nightmare. Like, when am I going to wake up from this?” said Ieisha.
Since the fire, the community has stepped in, launching a GoFundMe, buying them basic supplies and clothes.
“I saw Starr’s story and my heart broke. I feel so terrible,” said Rachel Millman, who used to live next door.
The 81st Precinct has also partnered with a local designer to make Ieisha a new prom dress.
