FDNY Fire Marshals Arrest Suspect for Deliberately Setting 3-Alarm Brooklyn Fire

June 10, 2025

The Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) Commissioner Robert S. Tucker announced Tuesday that Fire Marshals arrested Cassius Moss, 54, for starting a 3-alarm fire on Wednesday, June 4th at 922 Lafayette Avenue in Brooklyn. Moss is accused of using an ignitable liquid to set fire to the structure. 

"This reckless individual put the lives of residents and responding Firefighters at risk when he set this fire," said FDNY Commissioner Tucker. "Thanks to the excellent work of the outstanding Bureau of Fire Investigation, this individual was arrested and will be held responsible for his dangerous act."

Firefighters were called to 922 Lafayette Avenue for reports of a fire at 1:31 p.m. and arrived in three minutes. Units found heavy fire conditions on all three floors of the building and extension to the two adjoining structures at 920 and 924 Lafayette Avenue. The original fire building completely collapsed, and other buildings were heavily damaged. The fire took a little over four hours to bring under control and escalated to a 3rd alarm assignment, bringing approximately 138 fire and EMS personnel to the scene. One firefighter was brought to the hospital with minor injuries.

Fire Marshals responded to the scene and began their investigation. They conducted an extensive video canvas and tracked Moss from 922 Lafayette Avenue to a local deli, where he was caught on camera purchasing a bottle of accelerant. Moss then returned to 922 Lafayette Avenue, poured the bottle of accelerant onto the floor, and used a cigarette lighter to ignite the fire before leaving. 

Moss is charged with multiple offenses, including Arson in the Second Degree and Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree. He was previously arrested by the Bureau of Fire Investigation for arson in July 2023. The case will be prosecuted by the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office. Moss was arraigned today and remanded.

Photos and video of the suspect and fire scene can be viewed at this link.