Manhattan DA expands deadly Inwood fire investigation to landlord's company

Manhattan’s district attorney’s office is investigating the owners of a six-story Inwood apartment building after a deadly fire on May 4. The blaze at 207 Dyckman St. killed three people initially and injured 14 others, including a firefighter, and displaced more than 100 residents. A fourth victim, Annie De La Cruz, later died from injuries. Prosecutors previously charged resident Victor Arias with criminally negligent homicide, alleging he tossed a lit cigarette into cardboard boxes. The DA’s office is now examining the building’s conditions and potential corporate liability involving JanJan Realty Corp. and its president, Jack Bick. The building had 107 housing code violations, including 39 immediately hazardous, and the city had sued the owners a week earlier over fire hazards at a neighboring property.

"The Manhattan district attorney's office is investigating the owners of an Inwood apartment building with more than 100 housing code violations where a deadly fire broke out earlier this month, a spokesperson said."

""In addition to prosecuting the individual who allegedly started the fire with his cigarette, the office is investigating the totality of the circumstances of the incident, including the potential for corporate liability," said Doug Cohen, a spokesperson for Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg. "The investigation is in the very initial stages.""

"The fire tore through the 25-unit building just after midnight on May 4, initially killing three people and injuring 14 others, including a firefighter. The other victims were identified in court records as Lance Garcia, 24; Yolaine Bienvenida Diaz Dominguez, 48; and Ana Dominguez Lantigua, 72. More than 100 residents were displaced."

"The building had 107 housing code violations as of the day of the fire, including 39 considered "immediately hazardous," according to city housing data."

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