Brooklyn DA: Landlord arraigned on multiple charges for setting fire to rental property he owned
The landlord has been ordered to be held without bail, and will return to court on Jan. 31 2024.
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A Brooklyn landlord has been arraigned on attempted murder, arson and other charges for allegedly setting fire to a rental property he owned, according to Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez.
The District Attorney's Office says the 66-year-old landlord, Rafiqul Islam, allegedly set his Cypress Hills property on fire while a family of eight tenants, including six young children, were sleeping inside on Sept. 26.
One tenant exited the apartment during the incident and saw smoke and flames coming up from the interior stairwell. That tenant and six children ages one through eight were forced to climb onto the roof out of a back window, where two adult tenants then dropped the children into the arms of neighbors below.
MORE: FDNY: East New York landlord arrested on arson, attempted murder charges
“This defendant allegedly set fire to an occupied home, forcing an entire family, including six small children, to climb onto the roof and escape from the blaze in fear of their lives. It’s a miracle no one was killed or more seriously hurt. We will now seek to hold the defendant accountable for this allegedly deliberate and unconscionable act of arson,” said Gonzalez in a press release.
Islam has been ordered to be held without bail, and will return to court on Jan. 31 2024.
