Flatlands residents awaken to smoke as trash can arson fire erupts near home
The blaze, which started around 7:30 a.m., sent smoke into the nearby houses on East 55th Street, including that of homeowner, Hetty Newton.
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Several residents were jolted awake early Monday morning by the smell of smoke and burning plastic after a trash can fire broke out just feet from their homes.
The blaze, which started around 7:30 a.m., sent smoke into the nearby houses on East 55th Street, including that of homeowner, Hetty Newton.
"I just woke up this morning to the smell of smoke," said Newton. "It's nerve wrecking knowing that it's at your door; you never think it would happen where you live."
As seen on footage shared by Newton, a man wearing a hood and a backpack is shown walking down East 55th Street, stopping at 943 before setting a garbage and recycle bin on fire and walking away. The FDNY tells News 12 that they responded to the call of a garbage can on fire and successfully put it out around 8 a.m.
According to neighbors, they are still stunned by the incident. "At first I didn't believe it;" said Christopher Gillies, a next door neighbor. "you see the destruction it left, and it's just terrible."
No injuries were reported.
