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Police say a gas explosion in Eastchester has been ruled a homicide, and a homeless man is facing a slew of charges.
Samuel Calderon, 55, is accused of killing Ronald McCallister, 60, a resident of the 3475 Bivona Ave. building where a gas explosion sparked a four-alarm fire just after midnight Saturday.
Sources tell News 12 Calderon stole a stove, planning to sell it for drug money. He dismantled the stove, wheeled it down a hallway and blocked its gas pipe with a blanket. Gas quickly spread, leading to the explosion.
Calderon violated an order of protection held by his ex-girlfriend, a former resident, by entering the building, resulting in a contempt charge. Sources say his ex-girlfriend was staying at a domestic violence shelter at the time of the inferno.
Firefighters also discovered a 37-year-old man unconscious and unresponsive. EMS pronounced McCallister dead at the scene and took the man to the hospital, where he is fighting for his life.
The FDNY says an additional 13 people were hurt in the blaze, including a firefighter.
Officers walked Calderon out of the 47th Precinct Wednesday evening, and he appeared bewildered. When questioned about the deadly event, he responded, “God bless y’all.”
Calderon also faces murder, manslaughter, assault, burglary, petit larceny and harassment charges.