Rafiqul Islam, 66, is facing eight counts of attempted murder, arson and assault, the New York City Fire Department said Friday. Officials say he was angry the tenants stopped paying rent and refused to move out so he set the staircase on fire.



A New York City landlord upset about unpaid rent set a staircase on fire with the second-floor tenants still inside, causing them to toss their kids down to neighbors from the roof, authorities say. Six children and two adults had to be rescued.

Rafiqul Islam, 66, is facing eight counts of attempted murder, arson and assault, the New York City Fire Department said Friday. Officials say he was angry the tenants stopped paying rent and refused to move out.
Islam had allegedly threatened to cut off the gas and electricity to tenants in the past, WPIX reported. He had also previously threatened to set the home on fire if the rent continued to go unpaid, officials reportedly told the station.


WCBS reported on the harrowing rescue. Shatfiqul Islam (unclear on relation to suspect) told the outlet he and his roommates were sleeping on the building’s first floor when they were awoken by someone screaming “fire.” They ran outside and to the back.

“We’re all outside, and then we see they’re on the roof. Like, six kids and a mother, they’re all on the roof, and father,” Shatfiqul Islam said. “They’re trying to throw the kids, and tell us, ‘Take them, take them.'”
https://lawandcrime.com/crime/family...h-them-inside/