WOODHAVEN — A man was arrested for setting a quick-moving fire that injured nine people and destroyed eight homes after a fight with his landlord on Wednesday, FDNY officials said.
The blaze left dozens homeless and the Red Cross was giving emergency housing, money and clothing to 20 adults and eight children, officials said.
Luis Lopez, 30, had been arguing with his landlord, who gave him an ultimatum to leave his apartment at 91-21 90th St., near 91st Avenue, according to officials.
The landlord and another tenant told fire marshals that they smelled smoke shortly after the dispute about 8 p.m., officials said.
The fire began on the first floor of the two-story building and spread to the roof and several adjacent homes by the time the firefighters got to the scene, officials said.
Five civilians were injured in the blaze, FDNY officials said. An FDNY spokeswoman said she did not know their conditions.
Four firefighters also suffered injuries that were not considered life threatening, officials said.
Lopez was arrested some time after the incident and was still awaiting arraignment Friday afternoon, prosecutors said. An FDNY spokeswoman said she did not know when he was arrested.
"Fortunately there was no loss of life at this incident, but tragically the quick-moving fire destroyed eight homes before being brought under control," said FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro.
The fire destroyed eight homes before about 168 firefighters brought it under control about 10 p.m., officials said.
