Focus on Tenant's Ex in Deadly Queens Fire

Investigators looking for the cause in Sunday's fatal Queens fire now suspect that the ex-girlfriend of the most recent victim may have started the fire. It is believed Agnes Bermudez doused William Salazar with an accelerant, possibly carpet cleaner. Salazar died from his injuries yesterday.

Video showed Salazar and Bermudez both on fire. Bermudez, a 48-year-old former stock trader, had recently broken up with Salazar and, according to family members, the split was an amicable one. But investigators now believe two had an argument immediately before the blaze started Sunday morning.

The fire blocked the Middle Village building's hallway and forced people to leap from windows to escape the smoke and flames. In addition to Salazar, three other people died from the fire: Flor Sandoval, a well-liked make-up artist on movies such as "Maria Full of Grace," her husband Heriberto Garcia-Vera and their 20-year-old son Felipe Garcia-Sandoval. Three other residents were injured.

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By Dave Hogarty in Miscellaneous on June 20, 2008 1:42 PM

Comments [rss]

amsci

Man, my reading comprehension sucks today...NVM.

Um... for your health?

amsci

I wouldn't be surprised if it was the ex. Just looking at the body language in the picture, he seems like a possessive a-hole.

zodak

plk779: "It only takes one stupid/crazy person in your building (or even next to it) to take the whole thing out."

so true

schadenfreudian mensch

Adding to Bubba's comment:

When running with the cougars be prepare to be bitten

JacqueMehoff

Middle Village isn't Italian anymore?

on that note, Happy fourth of July you fireworks in the garage guys.

Bubba

He ran with the cougars...

plk779

Man, this sort of thing freaks me out more than anything else about living in NYC. It only takes one stupid/crazy person in your building (or even next to it) to take the whole thing out.