The Homicide Squad reports the details of a fatal residential fire that occurred at 4:04 a.m. on Friday, March 13, 2026 in Hempstead.
According to detectives, the Hempstead Fire Department responded to a basement apartment fire on Albemarle Avenue. The fire was extinguished with the assistance of numerous other local fire departments. A 42-year-old male and a 12-year-old male were discovered inside the residence. The 42-year-old male was pronounced deceased at scene. The 12-year-old male was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased by hospital staff.
The residence sustained substantial damage and was deemed uninhabitable. The Red Cross was requested to assist the multiple displaced residents.
The 42-year-old male has been identified as Kenneth Roberts, of Hempstead.
The investigation is ongoing in coordination with the Nassau County Fire Marshall, Nassau County Police Department Arson/Bomb Squad and Nassau County Police Department Homicide Squad.