A Bronx fire, tragically claiming a life and critically injuring another, has led to the arrest of 55-year-old Samuel Calderon. Calderon, who is currently homeless, faces charges of murder, manslaughter, and additional crimes in relation to the fire that engulfed part of a NYCHA housing complex in the Bronx last Saturday, Gothamist reports.
Early Saturday morning, the Boston Secor Houses on Bivona Street became the site of a deadly blaze. First responders found two men unconscious; 60-year-old Ronald McCallister was pronounced dead at the scene while a 37-year-old man remains in critical condition, according to Gothamist. The fire also led to the hospitalization of five other individuals in stable condition, and over 300 residents were displaced as a result of the incident.
NYPD investigations suggested that Calderon had dismantled a stove within the apartment building, causing a gas leak that escalated to an explosion. "These units are newly renovated. How was a homeless person able to get into an apartment and detach a stove or do whatever to cause such a catastrophe?" a neighbor voiced their concern to CBS News New York. The question of how Calderon accessed the apartment, and the motive behind his actions, remain unclear as officials continue their investigation.
The incident not only caused destruction within the Boston Secor Houses, but also affected neighboring buildings. Residents across the street were forced into days of cooking with hot plates due to a resulting gas outage. "It's unclear how Calderon accessed the unit, and a motive is also unknown at this time," reported by CBS News New York. As of the latest reports, Calderon had not been assigned an attorney to represent him in these matters.
