Long Island Fire Devastates Home, Kills Pets as Man Charged with Arson

You know how long weekends are supposed to feel — peaceful, quiet, maybe a little time with family or your pets. That’s what most people in Plainview expected on Memorial Day.

Instead, by 7:50 PM, Eileen Avenue turned into a scene of flashing lights, smoke, and sirens. A house fire had broken out — and not just any fire. According to police, this one was deliberately set. A man named Jahan Kia, who lived in the home, allegedly started it. The fire spread fast through the stairwell. People Magazine confirmed that nearly 100 firefighters responded from six different departments.

Despite their efforts, two dogs and one cat died inside. It’s honestly heartbreaking. One of the tenants said, “He killed his own cat. He’s an animal.” Her dogs didn’t make it either. Can you imagine going out for a while and coming back to that?

And it could’ve been worse. Two firefighters were injured — one with burns on his hand, the other from smoke inhalation. Thankfully, both are recovering.

But here’s what hit me: there were no smoke alarms reported in the home. Not a single one. No early warning. No chance for the pets to get out or for someone to stop it early. That detail isn’t just a footnote — it changes everything.

Let’s be real. Fires like this don’t just destroy buildings — they destroy trust, safety, and peace of mind. This wasn’t some abandoned place. It was a multi-tenant home. People lived there. Pets loved there. And someone made a choice that ended lives.

The Man Behind the Fire — Who Is Jahan Kia?

Let’s talk about the man accused of starting it all: Jahan Kia, 40 years old, a tenant in the same house he allegedly set on fire.

He didn’t run. When police arrived, he was right there at the scene. According to ABC7NY, he was arrested on the spot and charged with third-degree arson, second-degree criminal mischief, and torturing and injuring animals.

Now here’s where it gets disturbing. Kia reportedly started the fire in the basement stairwell, and investigators believe it was intentional. But the “why” is still unclear. No motive has been released, and it leaves this big, uneasy gap in the story — what pushes someone to burn down the place they live in?

Neighbors didn’t seem shocked, which says a lot. Some described him as mentally unstable, even scary. One resident told reporters he was always a bit “off.” It raises uncomfortable questions: Was this avoidable? Could someone have flagged this earlier?

What makes this part so hard to process is how calculated it sounds. This wasn’t a bad decision in a moment of panic. It was fire — set inside a home — while pets were trapped upstairs.

Look, I don’t know what was going through his mind. But when someone harms animals and puts lives at risk, accountability isn’t optional. If you’re a landlord or even a roommate — you need to know who’s living around you.

Emotional Aftermath: Residents Speak Out

No article, no police statement, can really capture what the people inside that house are feeling. But if you read their words, you’ll feel it in your gut.

Ariana Belfort, one of the tenants, lived in the same building as Kia. After the fire, she told The New York Post:

“He’s mentally disturbed. He lit the basement on fire, and it engulfed the whole house.”

Another tenant didn’t hold back either. She was furious, heartbroken:

“My dogs were killed. He killed his own cat. He’s an animal.”

You don’t recover from something like that quickly — if ever.

What’s even more chilling? After the fire, Kia reportedly walked over to a neighbor’s house and sat down on the couch like nothing had happened. No panic. No remorse. Just sitting there while the house burned and animals died. That part still haunts me.

It’s easy to focus on the charges and headlines, but the real story is about the people who lived through this. Their trust is broken. Their sense of safety — gone. That house wasn’t just four walls. It was home.

If you’ve ever had a weird gut feeling about someone in your building, don’t ignore it. Say something. Trust that instinct. Because sometimes, staying quiet means looking back on what you could’ve done differently — and wishing you hadn’t.

When Pets Are Victims — What the Law Actually Says

It hurts to say this, but in fires like this, pets are often the forgotten victims. We grieve them, yes — but legally? That’s a different story.

In New York, there are laws in place for animal cruelty and torture. What Jahan Kia is accused of — deliberately setting a fire that killed two dogs and a cat — can lead to serious charges. In fact, he’s already facing one count of torturing and injuring animals, which is part of New York’s Agriculture & Markets Law, Section 353.

But here’s the harsh truth: even with these laws, animal deaths in arson cases rarely get the same attention or legal weight as human injuries. That doesn’t mean they don’t matter. In fact, this case shows how deeply they do.

What’s missing — and what we need more of — is accountability in rental setups. Landlords should be screening tenants not just for credit scores, but for behavioral red flags. There should be clear clauses about pet safety and emergency protocols. Because whether it’s a roommate, a tenant, or a neighbor — people who harm animals rarely stop there.

And if you’re someone who lives with pets — they trust you with everything. You owe it to them to make sure your space is safe, not just physically, but emotionally too.

Maybe it’s time to ask your landlord: What’s the fire escape plan here? Are pets even considered in emergency planning.

Preventing Future Tragedies: Fire Safety in Multi-Tenant Homes

This part really got under my skin: there were no smoke alarms in that house.

In a multi-tenant home. In 2025. With people and pets sleeping inside.

Look — I don’t care how updated your wiring is or how often you clean your dryer vents. If there are no smoke alarms, you’re gambling with lives. And this time, those lives were innocent animals who couldn’t escape.

Fire safety isn’t just a checklist — it’s basic respect for life. And in New York, the law backs that up. According to state building codes, smoke alarms are legally required in all residential units, especially rentals. So how did this house pass?

Did the landlord neglect it? Did someone disable them? We don’t know yet — but the gap is obvious.

If you rent out a space or live in a multi-family setup, here’s your wake-up call:

• Check every smoke detector today.
• Talk to your landlord if something’s missing.
• Know where the exits are.

And if you’re a landlord? This is non-negotiable. You’re not just renting square footage — you’re taking responsibility for lives inside those walls.

I’ll ask you what I asked myself while reading about this fire: Could I get out in under 30 seconds if smoke filled my place right now? Could my pets?

If your answer’s “I’m not sure” — don’t wait to find out.

I actually came across a short update about this fire on a WhatsApp news broadcast I follow — it wasn’t flashy, just a simple alert with what mattered. These quiet community feeds often catch things mainstream outlets miss.

You can also follow some social media groups or channels which provides the latest information and tips for safety.

Mental Health and Missed Warnings — The Part No One Wants to Talk About

This part is hard, but we need to face it.

More than one neighbor said Jahan Kia had mental health issues. Some called him disturbed. Others admitted they were scared of him. But like in so many cases, nothing was done until it was too late.

We hear this pattern all the time: someone acts “off,” people whisper, and then life goes on — until it doesn’t.

Now, I’m not saying every mental health issue leads to violence. Not even close. But when someone is clearly struggling and also living around others — including kids or pets — we can’t afford to ignore the signs. Especially in shared living setups like this.

The question is: whose responsibility is it to step in?

• Landlords? Yes — they need to know who’s living in their buildings.
• Roommates or co-tenants? Definitely — if someone is erratic, it’s okay to speak up.
• Neighbors? Yep — a simple call or concern can prevent tragedy.

There are services available in Nassau County. Helplines, mental health outreach teams, even anonymous reporting. But they only work if we use them.

If someone in your building made you uneasy — would you say something? Or would you wait, hoping it doesn’t become a headline?

The cost of silence is often way too high.

This isn’t the only time we’ve seen emotional instability lead to violence inside a home — a similar case recently unfolded in Las Vegas, where a woman allegedly shot her partner after discovering infidelity.

After the Fire — How the Community Is Stepping Up

Here’s what gives me hope: even after something this awful, people show up.

Neighbors have already started supporting the tenants who lost their homes — and their pets. Some are collecting clothes and supplies. A few have offered temporary housing. That’s what community should look like.

Local groups in Plainview are also rallying around the firefighters who were injured. One volunteer group started a small fundraiser to cover their medical costs and support their families while they recover.

And if you’re wondering how to help? Start local:

• Donate to Nassau SPCA or Long Island Animal Rescue — they work directly with displaced or abused animals.
• Contact Nassau County Firefighters’ Benevolent Association if you want to donate toward firefighter care.
• Share verified fundraisers. A simple repost can go a long way.

Even just talking about what happened — like you’re doing now by reading this — matters. Because the more we talk, the more we learn, and the less likely it is to happen again.

If you’re part of a renters’ group, community forum, or even a pet parent network — bring this case up. Use it to push for better fire safety, better mental health awareness, and better protection for people and pets alike.

Conclusion

We talk a lot about crime, safety, and community — but rarely all in the same breath. This story forced them to collide. If it makes you a little more alert, a little more protective of your space, your pets, or your neighbors — then maybe some good can still come from it.

Because real safety isn’t about reacting to fires. It’s about spotting the spark before it ever starts.

Disclaimer: All facts in this article are based on publicly available sources. The investigation is still ongoing, and details may evolve. Please refer to official statements for the most current updates.