Fire Marshals Arrest Brooklyn Man for Setting Fire that Trapped 16 People

May 31, 2018

Fire Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro announced today Fire Marshals arrested a Brooklyn man for allegedly using a flammable liquid to set a fire that trapped 16 people in their Canarsie home on Monday.

Sean Figaro, 37, faces attempted homicide, arson and reckless endangerment charges in connection with the May 28th fire at 622 East 80th Street – where he had lived for several years before moving out recently following a domestic dispute with occupants of the home.

Firefighters responded to a call at 2:18 a.m. Monday and encountered a serious fire in the three-story structure, with fire extending from the first floor throughout the building, and furniture blocking occupants from escaping via the front door entrance.  Firefighters quickly removed 16 people from the rear of the building, all with non-life threatening injuries, and brought the fire under control by 3 a.m. Fire Marshals investigating the blaze determined a flammable substance was used as an accelerant. 

“Setting a fire at the entrance of home, in the dead of night, trapping 16 people, is a heinous act which could have easily resulted in a major loss of life if not for the rapid response and outstanding efforts of our Fire and EMS personnel,” said Commissioner Nigro. “Thanks to a thorough investigation by our Fire Marshals, a dangerous individual whose callous actions nearly took many lives has quickly been apprehended.”
Figaro is charged with 16 counts of attempted murder; one count of arson in the second degree; two counts of reckless endangerment in the first and second degree and one count of criminal mischief in the second degree.

The case will be prosecuted by the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office.

Please click here for surveillance footage of the incident.

Please click here for photo of Sean Figaro.
 
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