Police Question Man For Deadly Harlem Subway Fire: Report

HARLEM, NY — Police questioned a man with a long history of crime troubles in relation to a deadly Harlem subway fire that killed an MTA conductor as he led passengers to safety, according to reports.

Ex-con Nathaniel Avinger is considered a person of interest in relation to the deadly March 27 fire that killed 36-year-old Garrett Goble, an MTA conductor and father, police sources told the New York Post. Avinger was also questioned for a March 11 fire also set in Harlem, according to the report.

Goble died early Friday morning after a fire broke out on a No. 2 train inside the West 110th Street station about 3:15. Goble's was found in the roadbed of the station and rushed to Mount Sinai hospital where he was pronounced dead, police said. Four other people were also hospitalized in stable condition, police said. Seven civilians and five firefighters suffered minor injuries during the fire, according to an FDNY spokesperson.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio spoke about Goble during a Sunday news conference while memorializing public servants who have died while the city battles the effects of the coronavirus outbreak. Goble's death is not directly caused by coronavirus, but as an essential worker he put his safety on the line to keep New York City running as most people stay at home.

"He worked to get everyone else to safety first and then got off the train and passed away immediately after, leaves behind two young sons in his family. So sad. And someone who, again, was right there at the moment, his last moments of his life, protecting others, serving others, saving others," de Blasio said.

Representatives for the Transit Workers Union described Goble's efforts during the fire as "heroic."

Read the full NY Post article here.