The NYPD has arrested and charged a man with murder and arson in connection with a deadly five-alarm fire in the SoHo neighborhood of Manhattan.
Witnesses told police they saw Wei Chu Wu, 45, start the fire Thursday night after an argument he had with his child's mother.
One person was killed and two suffered minor injuries, the FDNY confirmed. The woman and child are safe, the AP reported. The body that was found was so badly charred that responders could not tell the victim's gender, according to a report.
Wu was charged Friday with arson in the first degree, murder in the second degree, attempted assault on a police officer or fireman, and resisting arrest, the NYPD said.
The fire started on the second floor where Wu lived at about 6:30 p.m., spread through the upper floors, and punched through the roof of a five-story building at 41 Spring Street, the FDNY said.
Wu fought with a police officer and firefighters who were trying to enter the building, according to police.
The suspect was treated at a hospital for bruises and a police officer was treated for a broken hand, reported the AP.
More than 160 firefighters responded to the scene and brought the fire under control in about three hours.
Police closed Spring Street between Lafayette Street and Elizabeth Street; and Mulberry Street between Kenmare Street and East Houston Street, according to the Office of Emergency Management's Twitter feed.
Witnessed said thick smoke engulfed several blocks in the neighborhood.
American Red Cross disaster responders arrived at the scene to assist displaced residents.
Thursday, May 23 2013 6:20 PM EDT2013-05-23 22:20:11 GMT
Former Rep. Anthony Weiner launched his campaign for mayor of New York City this week, but his website seems to indicate he is running for office in Pittsburgh. The stylized and colorized image used in
Former Rep. Anthony Weiner launched his campaign for mayor of New York City this week, but his website seems to indicate he is running for office in Pittsburgh. The stylized and colorized image used in
Thursday, May 23 2013 1:43 PM EDT2013-05-23 17:43:15 GMT
Kerry Kennedy has joined farmworkers protesting outside Wendy's shareholder meeting in Manhattan.
Kerry Kennedy has joined farmworkers protesting outside Wendy's shareholder meeting in Manhattan. The protesters said Thursday they want Wendy's to sign an agreement to safeguard working conditions for Florida tomato pickers.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:07 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:07:03 GMT
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police.
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police. The incident Monday night involved two men, who police say, had met at the Bowery Mission and went out drinking together in the East Village. Roman Gornell, 39, was arrested on Wednesday.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:46 PM EDT2013-05-23 01:46:23 GMT
The New York City Police Department says it is beefing up security at the British consulate, military recruiting stations and other locations due to an apparent terror attack in London.
The New York City Police Department says it is beefing up security at the British consulate, military recruiting stations and other locations due to an apparent terror attack in London.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:27 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:27:26 GMT
Black and Hispanic men are more likely to be stopped in the Bronx and Brooklyn than other boroughs, according to an analysis of police street stop data released Wednesday by the New York Civil Liberties Union.
Black and Hispanic men are more likely to be stopped in the Bronx and Brooklyn than other boroughs, according to an analysis of police street stop data released Wednesday by the New York Civil Liberties Union.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:23 AM EDT2013-05-22 12:23:21 GMT
Ex-congressman Anthony Weiner whose career imploded after raunchy tweets said in a YouTube video announcement that he's in the New York City mayoral race.
Ex-congressman Anthony Weiner whose career imploded after raunchy tweets said in a YouTube video announcement that he's in the New York City mayoral race. A poll released Wednesday placed Weiner in second place behind City Council Speaker Christine Quinn in a Democratic primary.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 9:51 PM EDT2013-05-22 01:51:10 GMT
Just a few days after Mark Carson, 32, was killed for being gay, and only a few hours after a massive rally in the west village calling for an end to the anti-gay violence, it happened again.
Just a few days after Mark Carson, 32, was killed for being gay, and only a few hours after a massive rally in the west village calling for an end to the anti-gay violence, it happened again.
