Police To Question Second Person For Harlem Subway Fire: NYPD

HARLEM, NY — Police are seeking to question a second person in connection with a Harlem subway fire that killed a heroic MTA conductor as he led passengers to safety, police said.

Police released photos of the second person of interest for the fire, which police officials are calling an arson, on Tuesday night. The person was seen leaving the West 110 Street and Lenox Avenue subway station shortly after a fire broke out on a subway train inside the station on the morning of March 27.

An ex-convict considered a person of interest for the arson has already been questioned by the NYPD this week, police sources told the New York Post.

MTA conductor Goble was killed during the fire as he led passengers off his train. Goble's body 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."