Police say a fatal arson fire in New York’s Chinatown was literally a dispute that erupted into a ball of fire. Newsday reports that one person is dead and 9 injured after an enraged arsonist set the apartment building on fire.
A resident of the building has been arrested. Witnesses told police it started after the suspect got into a domestic dispute with a woman over their child. Authorities believe he then set the second floor of the building on fire. The woman or the child were not among those injured.
A vacationing California firefighter rushed into the building and encountered the suspect, but he got away. Authorities say the same suspect also tried to prevent emergency personnel from entering the building. A police officer injured his hand in the confrontation before the suspect was subdued and arrested.
The fire happened at at 41 Spring St., between Mulberry and Mott streets.
