Sources: Fire Victim Intentionally Set Her Apartment Ablaze

NY1 News 11/5/09

Sources say last night's fatal fire in a Manhattan apartment was set intentionally by a 48-year-old woman who wanted to harm herself.

The woman was killed in the fire that broke out on West 104th Street and Broadway last night.

Investigators say the woman's mother came home and found the apartment filled with smoke. When she tried to enter her daughter's bedroom, the door was barricaded with suitcases.

"Her mom came home and called for the super," said Fire Department Deputy Chief Mike Mullins. "She saw smoke and he tried to get in and the fire department was called.

 And they forced their way in and stretched the hose line

and put the fire out."

Sixty firefighters responded to the fire in the third-floor apartment.