New York High School Student Charged With Arson for Setting Fire That Severely Burned Subway Passenger
An 18-year-old high school senior has been jailed after authorities say he set a fire that severely burned a sleeping subway passenger in Manhattan. Hiram Carrero, who is not required to enter a plea during his arraignment, faces at least seven years in prison if convicted.
According to investigators, Carrero ignited a piece of paper and dropped it near the 56-year-old passenger around 3 am on Monday on a northbound 3 train at the 34th Street–Penn Station stop. The passenger stumbled to the platform at the next station with his legs and torso on fire. Police officers quickly extinguished the flames, and the passenger was taken to a hospital where he was listed in critical condition.
The victim very well could have died in this case, prosecutors said. Carrero stepped onto the train only briefly, lit the fire, and then fled the station while the passenger lay burning. He took a bus home.
Carrero's lawyer claimed that there was no disagreement with the allegations being extremely serious, but U.S. District Judge Valerie E. Caproni reversed an earlier decision to release Carrero from home confinement under his mother's supervision.
The judge stated that it is hard for her to understand why 18-year-old young man who’s in high school is out at 3 o'clock in the morning setting people on fire. Carrero faces severe penalties if convicted, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for January 4th, which may be canceled if prosecutors bring the case before that.
It's worth noting that Carrero is being charged federally because the incident was investigated by a federal task force due to its severity. He will not face charges in state court.
In other incidents of people being lit ablaze on public transit across the U.S., a man was charged with pouring gasoline on a woman, chased her through a train car, and setting her on fire last month in Chicago. In December 2024, a woman asleep on a stopped subway train in Brooklyn was killed when a stranger set her clothing on fire.
Hiram Carrero's mother is disabled, and he lives with her in Harlem and acts as her primary caregiver. According to investigators, both the victim and Carrero share distinctive physical characteristics, including mustaches, hats, backpacks, and gray hooded sweatshirts, which helped identify Carrero as a suspect.
An 18-year-old high school senior has been jailed after authorities say he set a fire that severely burned a sleeping subway passenger in Manhattan. Hiram Carrero, who is not required to enter a plea during his arraignment, faces at least seven years in prison if convicted.
According to investigators, Carrero ignited a piece of paper and dropped it near the 56-year-old passenger around 3 am on Monday on a northbound 3 train at the 34th Street–Penn Station stop. The passenger stumbled to the platform at the next station with his legs and torso on fire. Police officers quickly extinguished the flames, and the passenger was taken to a hospital where he was listed in critical condition.
The victim very well could have died in this case, prosecutors said. Carrero stepped onto the train only briefly, lit the fire, and then fled the station while the passenger lay burning. He took a bus home.
Carrero's lawyer claimed that there was no disagreement with the allegations being extremely serious, but U.S. District Judge Valerie E. Caproni reversed an earlier decision to release Carrero from home confinement under his mother's supervision.
The judge stated that it is hard for her to understand why 18-year-old young man who’s in high school is out at 3 o'clock in the morning setting people on fire. Carrero faces severe penalties if convicted, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for January 4th, which may be canceled if prosecutors bring the case before that.
It's worth noting that Carrero is being charged federally because the incident was investigated by a federal task force due to its severity. He will not face charges in state court.
In other incidents of people being lit ablaze on public transit across the U.S., a man was charged with pouring gasoline on a woman, chased her through a train car, and setting her on fire last month in Chicago. In December 2024, a woman asleep on a stopped subway train in Brooklyn was killed when a stranger set her clothing on fire.
Hiram Carrero's mother is disabled, and he lives with her in Harlem and acts as her primary caregiver. According to investigators, both the victim and Carrero share distinctive physical characteristics, including mustaches, hats, backpacks, and gray hooded sweatshirts, which helped identify Carrero as a suspect.
and it's not like he had to do anything hard to get caught either, just some random person with a paper and a lighter... but at least he's behind bars now, but still hope he gets the help he needs, maybe therapy or something to deal with whatever was goin on in his head 
! I mean, can you even imagine setting fire to someone on the subway? It's like, what were they thinking? The fact that this 18-year-old was walking around with a lit piece of paper and just casually drops it near someone who was sleeping... it's just so reckless and selfish. And the worst part is, this could have easily been fatal for the victim 
. It's just so frustrating when people make these kinds of decisions without considering the consequences for others.
. Anyway, I'm no expert, but I think it's crazy that his mom is disabled and he's been taking care of her. Like, priorities, right? But I guess you gotta do what you gotta do... especially if someone's burning on a subway! 
That's just wild. And 7 years in prison? No joke. He should get life... but not in prison 
. It's like, what even is he thinking? He knows the victim could've died and yet he just walks away 
. And can you believe his mom has a disability and he's her primary caregiver too? That just makes it even more heartbreaking 
. This whole thing just gives me chills... 
. What drives someone to do such a thing? Was Hiram feeling overwhelmed or struggling with something that led him to take such drastic measures? It makes me think about how we need to look out for each other, especially our vulnerable members of society. We should be supporting and uplifting, not tearing down.
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it's not just about the punishment, it's about holding people accountable for their actions from a young age... and to think that he was released from home confinement because of his mom being disabled... I feel bad for the victim who could have died, but what's even more concerning is that this guy had no regard for human life whatsoever 
it's just not right, and I feel for the passenger who could've died from those flames 
and yet we know he was capable of something so sinister 
it raises questions about how we're supporting our young people, especially those with disabilities like his mom 
This is just crazy! I mean, an 18-yr-old high school senior setting a fire on the subway that burns someone badly? That's just not right 
. I'm glad no one died in this case, but it's still a huge deal. The fact that he was able to walk away from the scene like nothing happened is even more disturbing 
. I just hope this case goes well and he gets the help he needs... maybe not for setting fires, though 
. It's crazy that there are so many cases like this happening in the US 
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The victim could've died, so yeah, the penalties are definitely justified here.
This is absolutely unacceptable behavior from an 18-year-old kid. I mean, what's going through that head? Setting someone on fire in public, leaving them to suffer and potentially die... it's just so inexcusable 
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. It just goes to show that we need better support systems and resources in place for people, especially kids, who are dealing with challenges at home.
. Is this just an isolated incident, or is it part of a larger problem? Only time will tell 
.
. Perhaps we should be looking at how we can provide more support and services for families who are struggling, rather than just focusing on punishment 
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