ELMHURST — A Yonkers contractor was arrested Wednesday for arson in the massive fire that destroyed more than 100 apartments and injured 11 firefighters, according to the FDNY.
The five-alarm fire at 56-11 94th St, which needed more than 200 firefighters to knock down Tuesday night, was sparked by an open flame near combustibles, officials said.
Declan McElhatton, 53, of Maintenance Asset Management, was arrested by fire marshals later Wednesday and is expected to be charged with arson and reckless endangerment.
The fire displaced hundreds of residents from 112 apartments and many had to stay in a makeshift shelter at a school across from their apartments.
It's not clear when McElhatton will be arraigned.