Fire Marshals say 37-year-old Sean Figaro used a flammable liquid to set the fire at the entrance of a home on East 80th Street in Canarsie early Monday morning.
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16 people were inside the three-story house at the time and quickly became trapped.
"Setting a fire at the entrance of home, in the dead of night, trapping 16 people, is a heinous act which could have easily resulted in a major loss of life if not for the rapid response and outstanding efforts of our Fire and EMS personnel," said FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro. "Thanks to a thorough investigation by our Fire Marshals, a dangerous individual whose callous actions nearly took many lives has quickly been apprehended."
Figaro had lived in the home for several years, but authorities say he recently moved out following a domestic dispute with several of the other residents.
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None of the 16 people rescued from the house were seriously injured.
Figaro is charged with 16 counts of attempted homicide, arson, reckless endangerment and criminal mischief.
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