Man Charged With Murder in Deadly Queens Fire Set Due to Job Frustration

Roman Amatitla, 38, was arraigned on April 9, 2026, on charges including murder, arson and assault with depraved indifference in connection with a fatal fire in Queens. Prosecutors allege that Amatitla targeted a mixed-use building as a random outlet for his frustration over losing his job.

The fire occurred on March 16 at a building located between College Point Boulevard and Saull Street, specifically at 132-05 Avery Avenue in Flushing. The blaze resulted in the deaths of four people, including a 3-year-old girl and three adults. The victims have been identified as Sihan Yang, 3, and Chengri Cui, 50, along with a 61-year-old woman and a 63-year-old man.

According to a criminal complaint, Amatitla entered the building by following a woman through the door. He then allegedly lit a piece of paper on fire and dropped it into a trash can, allowing it to burn. This location was near the only exit for the second and third floors, where the apartments were located.

Surveillance video and prosecutors’ accounts indicate that before setting the fire, Amatitla visited a gas station across the street where he bought a beer, stole another beer, and took a book of matches. He is facing a charge of petit larceny for the stolen beer. After igniting the fire, Amatitla allegedly stood outside and drank a beer while watching the three-story structure burn.

The medical examiner’s office determined that three of the victims died from smoke inhalation. A fourth victim died of blunt force trauma to the head after jumping from a window to escape the flames. In total, nearly a half-dozen people jumped from various windows to survive the fire.

Several other individuals were injured, with some suffering extensive burns. Two firefighters were also treated for thermal burns and smoke inhalation after a staircase connecting the three floors collapsed during the emergency response.

Building Violations and Safety Issues

The New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) reported that the property had more than 50 violations since 2020. A partial vacate order had been issued for the second and third floors in 2020 due to illegal apartment conversions, meaning no one should have been residing on those upper floors where the four fatalities occurred.

Other recorded violations include a 2023 discovery of an illegal gambling setup on the first floor, which resulted in a $25,000 fine and an arrest. In January 2026, investigators found extension cords running from the first floor to the third floor, leading to a failure to maintain violation.

A DOB representative stated that the agency does not physically remove residents when a vacate order is issued, as that responsibility lies with the property owners.

Legal Proceedings

Amatitla was apprehended by the NYPD Warrant Squad on April 8 at his home in Elmhurst. He was subsequently questioned at the 109 precinct. During his arraignment on April 9, a judge ordered him held, citing that he is a flight risk.

The District Attorney’s office stated they possess two videos in which Amatitla admits to starting the fire. One report indicates he is facing eight counts of murder.

Vivian Cedeno, the attorney representing Amatitla, stated that she and her client intend to launch a vigorous defense and asked that judgment be reserved until the legal process unfolds.