Alleged arsonist behind 5 fires at Brooklyn NYCHA complex arrested

Officials say the alleged arsonist also attempted to block victims from escaping.

November 14, 2019 Rob Abruzzese

Michael Hall of Brooklyn was accused of purposefully starting five different fires in NYCHA houses in East New York. Photo courtesy of the FDNY

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Police arrested a man yesterday in connection with five separate fires that happened earlier this year at a New York City Housing Authority complex in Brooklyn.

Michael Hall, a 31-year-old from Brooklyn, was arrested and charged with attempted murder, two counts of arson, one count of criminal possession of a dangerous weapon, two counts of attempted assault, one count of menacing and harassment in connection to the series of fires, that occurred over a span of six months.

Hall is suspected of starting five separate fires within East New York’s Louis Pink Houses.

Louis Pink Houses in East New York. Image courtesy of Google Maps

One fire was deliberately started at 1211 Loring Ave. on Nov. 7, according to the FDNY. The four other fires all took place at 2628 Linden Blvd. on May 28, Oct. 18, Oct. 26 and Nov. 3.

“Arson is a violent crime that demonstrates a depraved indifference to the lives of New Yorkers and FDNY members,” said FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro. “Once again, the investigative work of our fire marshals has led to the apprehension of a dangerous individual who used fire as a weapon to harm others.”

Fire marshals alleged that the fires were all purposely set during the early morning hours at the front door of apartments in a manner that blocked the escape of residents and initial access by responding firefighters. While all of the fires were quickly brought under control, there were injuries to four residents.