The District Attorney’s office has charged a resident of 14 Murray with arson in the second degree and reckless endangerment in the second degree — both felonies — for having set Friday’s fire in her own apartment on the third floor.
Aila Balic was arraigned in criminal court; the judge set bail at $5K.
In the official record, the DA notes that the defendant intentionally damaged the building by starting a fire and also was aware that there was a reasonable possibility that other people were in the building at the time: “the defendant recklessly engaged in conduct which created a substantial risk of serious physical injury to another person.” it read.
The complaint notes that Police Officer Philip Ioannou responded to a 911 call to the third-floor apartment and observed that the defendant was locked inside. When the defendant opened the door, the officer observed a fire and significant smoke inside the apartment.
While the FDNY press office told me the investigation is ongoing, the DA’s complain notes that the fire marshal determined that it was incendiary, or set deliberately. Officers then observed the defendant in the lobby of the building with burn marks and soot on her hands.
Her next court date is April 22.