BK Landlord Set Fire To Apartment To Force Tenants Out: FDNY

CYPRESS HILLS, NY — A Brooklyn landlord accused of setting fire to his apartment building to force a family out was arrested, authorities said Friday.

Angry that one of his tenants had stopped paying rent and refused to move out, landlord Rafiqul Islam took matters into his own hands — and set fire to a staircase inside his apartment building on Forbell Street near Glenmore Avenue, according to the FDNY.

The tenants — two adults and six children — were home on Oct. 26 as the fire burned for just under an hour, authorities said. Seven of the residents were transported to an area hospital with minor injuries.

Now, the landlord faces charges including eight counts of attempted murder and arson, according to the FDNY.

Authorities told Pix 11 Islam was caught on video in a mask and hood entering and leaving the home.

Islam had previously made threats to the tenants, including threatening to cut their gas and electricity, Pix 11 reported.