Fire marshals have arrested a Bronx man in connection with a series of arson fires set in the Flushing area of Queens over a four-week span.
Thien K. Dinh, 43, is accused of setting 13 fires from Aug. 20 through September 13, 2012, including one that escalated to a three-alarm blaze that injured 19 firefighters at 143-01 45th Avenue in Flushing.
Dinh started several rubbish and dumpster fires in the hours before that one, investigators said. He struck again one week afterward, lighting rubbish and other combustible material to start fires in dumpsters and cars in Flushing, all in the 2-to-4 a.m. time span.
Dinh was apprehended by fire marshals and charged with multiple counts of arson, reckless endangerment and burglary. He has 45 prior arrests for crimes including burglary, property damage and criminal mischief.
It was not immediately known if he had an attorne.
