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.
Sunday, May 19 2013 4:05 PM EDT2013-05-19 20:05:22 GMT
The federal judge presiding over civil rights challenges to the stop-and-frisk practices of the New York Police Department has no doubt where she stands with the government.
The federal judge presiding over civil rights challenges to the stop-and-frisk practices of the New York Police Department has no doubt where she stands with the government.
Friday, May 17 2013 5:54 PM EDT2013-05-17 21:54:45 GMT
The big game will be played in New Jersey but the big party will be in New York City. Organizers call it "Super Bowl Boulevard."
The big game will be played in New Jersey but the big party will be in New York City. Organizers call it "Super Bowl Boulevard": it will stretch from 44th Street on Broadway all the way to 34th Street.
Friday, May 17 2013 8:21 AM EDT2013-05-17 12:21:42 GMT
A new photo exhibit at an art gallery in Chelsea is drawing the ire of residents who are the artist's subjects, unknowingly.
A new photo exhibit at an art gallery in Chelsea is drawing the ire of residents who are the artist's subjects, unknowingly. The artist, Arne Svenson, is reportedly taking the photos through their TriBeCa building windows. In some photos, the residents are bending over, sleeping and cleaning.
Thursday, May 16 2013 6:06 PM EDT2013-05-16 22:06:34 GMT
A smuggling ring that made a fortune selling more than a million cartons of untaxed cigarettes in New York may have funneled some of the illicit proceeds to terrorist groups, authorities said.
A smuggling ring that made a fortune selling more than a million cartons of untaxed cigarettes in New York may have funneled some of the illicit proceeds to terrorist groups, authorities said.
Thursday, May 16 2013 1:36 PM EDT2013-05-16 17:36:00 GMT
A water taxi struck a dock at Pier A and Battery Park Place in Manhattan on Thursday, according to FDNY officials. Two people suffered minor injuries. They refused medical attention.
A water taxi struck a dock at Pier A and Battery Park Place in Manhattan on Thursday, according to FDNY officials. Two people suffered minor injuries. They refused medical attention.
Thursday, May 16 2013 1:17 PM EDT2013-05-16 17:17:42 GMT
Several New York lawmakers are sounding the alarm about security and safety lapses at day care centers across New York City.
Several New York lawmakers are sounding the alarm about security and safety lapses at day care centers across New York City. In a report released Thursday, dozens of daycares cited by the Dept. of Health for serious and critical health code violations since 2010, have not fixed the problems and continue to operate without penalty.
