Tenant who terrorized NYC apartment sets building ablaze and attempts to trap neighbors inside

Police in Brooklyn are searching for a man who reportedly tried to prevent people from escaping a burning building after he allegedly set it on fire, ABC News7 reports.

The blaze injured nine residents, including a child, and two firefighters in an apartment building on Evergreen Avenue in Bushwick. The fire broke out around 3 a.m. on Tuesday.

Fire crews conducted multiple rescues, pulling residents out of windows and guiding them down smoke-filled hallways. An FDNY source stated that the suspect intentionally set the fire and then held the door closed to trap people inside. Authorities believe the man fled after setting the fire.

Some residents mentioned that the suspect had caused problems before, and they felt it was only a matter of time before something serious happened. "Not only have I filed a complaint against the management, but other tenants have also filed complaints," said resident Juan Garcia.

Dozens of families were forced to evacuate the building and are now homeless. They were allowed back inside to retrieve some belongings later on Tuesday.

A man who escaped the fire suffered a seizure on the sidewalk and was taken to a nearby hospital.