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NYPD say that Michael Hannant, 37, lost his fight for life after the September 4 fire on 9th Avenue near W55th Street. He died at New York Presbyterian Hospital 5 days after the blaze.
The suspect charged with setting the the fire could soon be facing murder charges, cops say.
Firefighters battling the blaze on the third floor of the apartment building found Hannant unconscious and unresponsive. He was suffering from smoke inhalation. New York’s Medical Examiner has now said that Hannant’s death was a homicide.
Hannant’s funeral was held in his home town of Rushville, Illinois earlier this week.
Sadam Assana, 28, who lives locally, was arrested just hours after the blaze and charged with arson and attempted arson. He is now likely to be charged with murder. Assana will appear in court on October 6.