The horrific Inwood fire that killed three people, including a top veteran fashion journalist and her elderly mother, was caused by a neighbor who carelessly flicked his cigarette butt, prosecutors said Tuesday.
The tragic detail was revealed as accused firebug Victor Arias, 29, was arraigned in Manhattan court on three counts of criminally negligent homicide for the May 4 inferno — then freed on supervised release.
The Dyckman Street blaze erupted minutes after Arias tossed the remnants of a cigarette he’d smoked into a pile cardboard boxes in the first-floor lobby of the six-story Upper Manhattan walk-up, then casually climbed the stairs, according to a complaint filed in Manhattan Criminal Court.
Flames sparked by his still-smoldering cig spread from the boxes to the building’s walls and ceiling and soared up the stairwell to the upper floors of the building — gutting its hallways and staircases, showed the court document and photos from the scene.
Yolaine Diaz — the 48-year-old former digital fashion and beauty editor for People en Español — her mother, Ana Mirtha Lantigua, 73, and Lance Garcia, 25, died in the fire.
Diaz — who interviewed everyone from Eva Longoria to Shakira and Jennifer Lopez while at People — and her mom tried to escape the inferno through an inner staircase but were overcome by smoke and never made it outside, People en Espanol said.
The pair and Garcia were found dead near the roof landing with burns covering their whole bodies, according to the court document.
At least 14 other people were injured in the fire, including five who were listed in critical condition, the FDNY said.
Arias was arrested Monday, and Manhattan Judge Shirin Zarabi sprang him after his arraignment Tuesday, as requested by prosecutors.
The DA’s lawyers said that while the catastrophic outcome of the blaze should not be diminished, the evidence does not suggest the suspect intended to kill his neighbors.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office also noted that Arias turned himself in to authorities and has no prior criminal record.
He was ordered to surrender his passport and abide by a 9 p.m. curfew and will be screened for electronic monitoring, prosecutors said.
Arias lives in the building with his mother and sisters and receives regular medical care that would be interrupted if he were held in custody, prosecutors added.
Arias will reappear in court June 5.
Diaz left the editorial staff at People in 2022 but continued to submit her work, with her most recent story running April 26.
Former co-worker Pia Velasco told the New York Times that Diaz was especially close with her mother, who often traveled with her.
“It was very, very refreshing to be around someone who knew exactly who she was and exactly what she wanted, and would go after it with all the excitement in the world,” Velasco said.
“She was a wonderful person. The world’s a little bit more gray without her in it.”
