A New York landlord is now facing charges after allegedly setting fire to one of his apartment buildings. According to PEOPLE, the man’s tenants were inside the premises at the time of the alleged arson.
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More Details On The Alleged Incident
According to the outlet, Rafiqul Islam, 66, reportedly became frustrated with the tenants who resided in a second-floor unit of his in Brooklyn. A statement released by the FDNY alleges that Islam allegedly became “angry” with his tenants because they “stopped paying rent.”
PEOPLE adds that prior to the incident, the landlord allegedly threatened to “cut off the electricity and gas for the unit.” Additionally, Islam threatened to set the unit on fire if he did not receive his overdue rent.
Additionally, the outlet reports that a civil suit filed by Islam against an occupant of the unit, Andriana Edwards, alleges the tenants “owed him $26,592.”
On September 26, Islam allegedly set fire “to an interior staircase” located inside the building of the occupied unit. FDNY lists the location as “212 Forbell Street in Bkn.”
According to the department, two adults and six children were inside the unit at the time of the alleged fire. Additionally, PEOPLE reports that whether Edwards was among the group at the time is unclear.
Furthermore, the FDNY adds that the 8-person group ultimately escaped the fire. According to Law & Crime, the two adults reportedly “threw” the children from the roof of the two-story building.
“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 reportedly explained to Law & Crime. “They’re trying to throw the kids, and tell us, ‘Take them, take them.'”
According to the witness, the adults then escaped the fire by jumping off the roof of the building.
FDNY Fire Marshals arrested a landlord for arson. Investigators say Rafiqul Islam was angry his 2nd floor tenants stopped paying rent, refused to move out, so he set fire to an interior staircase at 212 Forbell Street in Bkn. 2 adults, 6 kids home at the time escaped the fire. pic.twitter.com/3ST0oZBV5d
— FDNY (@FDNY) November 3, 2023
More Information Regarding The New York Landlord, His Arrest & Subsequent Charges
PEOPLE reports that Islam was arrested on October 25. Since then, the landlord has reportedly been charged with eight counts of attempted murder, as well as “second-degree arson, reckless endangerment and criminal mischief.”
Additionally, the landlord is now facing a countersuit from Edwards, who alleges the unit is now “uninhabitable” due to the fire allegedly started by the landlord.
Edwards also alleges that the unit was “infested with mice and roaches,” with lead in its walls, windows that did not close, and water damage. According to PEOPLE, Edwards’ countersuit alleges these conditions constituted “a breach of warranty of habitability.”
According to the New York State Unified Court System, such conditions can serve as a “defense and a counterclaim in a nonpayment case.” Furthermore, should a unit be proved uninhabitable, the affected tenants may be entitled to an “abatement,” or reduction of their rent, or even a refund of paid rent if the amount is more than what is owed to the landlord.
According to Law & Crime, Islam remains in police custody. It is unclear how he has pled to the charges against him or the years he may face in prison.
