Staten Island man, 56, charged with arson in apartment fire

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A 56-year-old man was involved in a series of disturbing incidents that culminated in him setting a fire in his apartment building, authorities allege.

Prior to the alleged arson, the defendant, Ralph Torres, was accused of threatening an individual with a knife and punching a victim in two separate incidents that also occurred inside the building where he lives at 475 Bay St.