Two Fire Incidents in NYC Transit Raise Concerns Over Safety and Homelessness

A woman was killed on a subway and a homeless man severely burned at Penn Station, highlighting systemic issues in New York City transit and homelessness policies.

A woman was set on fire and killed on a stationary F train in Brooklyn on December 22; the suspect, Sebastian Zapeta, an undocumented Guatemalan migrant, has been indicted for murder and arson.
The victim of the subway attack remains unidentified due to the severity of her injuries, with authorities using advanced DNA and fingerprinting technology to determine her identity.
On December 27, a 67-year-old homeless man was found severely burned at Penn Station; authorities are investigating whether the incident was accidental or criminal.
The incidents have reignited debates over homelessness, public safety, and the challenges of addressing mental health and housing in New York City.
New York City has seen a record rise in homelessness, with over 86,000 people in shelters and concerns about the effectiveness of current policies to address the crisis.