Middle Village, Maspeth, and Elmhurst residents breathed a sigh of relief last week after a “serial firebug,” who allegedly set 18 fires in central Queens over the past five months, was arrested and charged.
On Friday, January 19, Fire Captain John Abbruzzese of Engine 287 noticed Elmhurst resident Kareem Jamel Walters in the crowd after battling a blaze in Elmhurst and remembered Walters’ face from a few other area fires.
When investigators questioned the 26-year-old, he confessed to setting the Elmhurst fire, which scorched a multi-unit building with more than 80 apartments, as well as 17 others, one of which injured a Fire Lieutenant.
On Monday January 15, Lieutenant Robert Wilson from Engine 136 had to get 12 stitches above his left eye after he was sliced by glass from a ruptured electrical meter while battling a blaze at 84-22 60th Road in Middle Village.
“[Walters’] alleged actions had the potential of causing millions of dollars in property damage and the loss of an unknown number of lives,” said Queens District Attorney Richard Brown. “The charges are extremely serious and will be vigorously prosecuted.”
Fire marshals are now investigating whether Walters is linked to any other fires in the area, an FDNY spokesperson said.
Firebug admits, “I did it just for fun”
By Christina Santucci
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