Man accused of arson after 3 killed in Bronx fire

BRONX -- The man accused of setting a fire that killed three people in the Bronx was arraigned on Thursday.

Prosecutors say Daniel Santana, 45, was seen on video spreading an accelerant before starting a fire in Mott Haven last week.

Fire broke out in the commercial building on Third Avenue between E. 139th and 140th streets just after 5 a.m. last Monday. The building appears to have a grocery store on the first floor with apartments above.

Police said he made statements implicating himself, although the motive of the fire remains unclear. He surrendered to detectives Monday night. He has six prior arrests.

One of the victims was 70-year-old Oreste de Leon whose family owned the building that burned down.

Two other men identified as Larry Johnson, 62, and Gilberto Romero, 57, were killed in the fire.

Santana is charged with murder and arson and is being held without bail.

Two other buildings were damaged during the fire.

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