Houseguest Started East Elmhurst Fire That Killed 3: Report

EAST ELMHURST, QUEENS — An "unstable" houseguest started the fire that burned through an East Elmhurst home Wednesday and killed him and two others, according to news reports.

The blaze started when David Abreu Nuñez, 23, poured gasoline in the kitchen then lit it on fire, the New York Post reported. Sources speaking with PIX11 described the man as "unstable."

The fire trapped him and two others — including a six-year-old girl — inside the burning building on 93rd Street. None survived.

A 35-year-old woman and a 10-month-old boy who suffered burn and smoke injuries from the fire are at Weill Cornell Hospital's burn center in extremely critical condition, officials said Wednesday.

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FDNY fire marshals said Thursday a flammable liquid contributed to the fire, but a spokesperson declined to elaborate on what that liquid was. Police are treating the area as a crime scene.

#FDNY Fire Marshals have determined that yesterday’s fatal fire at 23-49 93 St #Queens was incendiary - an ignitable liquid was used as an accelerant. There were 3 fatalities and two critically injured in the 2-alarm fire. The investigation is ongoing. pic.twitter.com/kL6DpgDZjK
— FDNY (@FDNY) July 11, 2019

"It's quite unusual at that time in the afternoon to have a fire trap five occupants in a private dwelling," FDNY Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro said Wednesday night.

The names of the other victims have not been released, because authorities are still trying to get in touch with relatives outside the United States, according to the Post.

The building's owner, Rafelina Moreno, told the New York Daily News: "I tried to help somebody and look how they repaid me. They burned my home." She did not elaborate.

Moreno did not immediately return a call requesting comment.