43-year-old dead after suspicious Queens blaze
Victim found with hands & feet tied up. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Published: Sunday, February 24, 2013, 9:55 AM
Updated: Monday, February 25, 2013, 2:54 AM
Marc A. Hermann/for New York Daily News
A 43-year-old man was found dead in the building, which reportedly had numerous violations from the Department of Buildings. The cause of the fire was not yet known.
A 43-year-old man was found dead with his hands and feet bound after a suspicious two-alarm fire ripped through his Queens home early Sunday, police said.
The blaze broke out about 2:30 a.m on the second floor of the 95th Ave. building in South Richmond Hill and spread quickly, cops said. The flames engulfed the rear section of the house, which is sub-divided into apartments.
The body of the victim, whose name wasn’t immediately released, was found severely burned in his bed after firefighters extinguished the blaze. His hands and feet were tied, according to cops.The NYPD is investigating the death.
Marc A. Hermann/for New York Daily News
Scene of two-alarm fire at 115-18 95th Ave., Queens, on Sun., February 24, 2013. A 43-year-old man was found dead in the building, which reportedly had numerous violations from the Department of Buildings. The cause of the fire was not yet known, and was deemed suspicious. (Marc A. Hermann/for New York Daily News)
Sources said the fire is being deemed suspicious because of the volume of fire and how quickly it spread. The cause of the blaze is still under investigation by fire marshals.
Family members said the victim was a gentle person who kept to himself.
“He was a good man. He was a very quiet man," said a woman who identified herself as his cousin.
A man who also identified himself as the victim’s cousin said the victim didn't have much contact with the rest of the family.
Marc A. Hermann/for New York Daily News
Scene of two-alarm fire at 115-18 95th Ave., Queens, on Sun., February 24, 2013. A 43-year-old man was found dead in the building, which reportedly had numerous violations from the Department of Buildings.
"We don't know know all that much about him. He was a bit of a loner," the man said.
The victim's relatives said they were unsure exactly what transpired and were working with detectives to piece together the story.
"We don't know really what happened. We are waiting to hear back from the police," said a man who identified himself as the victim's brother.
Neighbors said the fire spread quickly, with flames shooting up into the dark early-morning sky and illuminating it with an eerie orange glow.
A dad who lives in the building with his two young children said they had to run for their lives as they awoke to thick, choking plumes of smoke.
"Somebody was yelling, 'Fire! Fire!' and there was smoke, so I got the kids and we ran out," said the man, who did not want to be identified. "When we were coming out, we could see the fire, the flames were all over the side of the building. It was frightening."