'Terrifying': Family grateful for safety after suspect is charged in arson

A Bronx family spoke exclusively with News 12 about their ordeal after police arrested a man for allegedly setting fire to their home while they were inside.

News 12 Staff

Nov 9, 2019, 6:09 PM

Updated 1,631 days ago

Share:

A Bronx family spoke exclusively with News 12 about their ordeal after police arrested a man for allegedly setting fire to their home while they were inside.
Diamond Williams, 20, was inside her room when it was set on fire last month.
"It's terrifying, it's frightening, one day you could have your whole life and the next day you don't have anything," she says.
The suspect is Kamal Kerr, her on-again, off-again boyfriend and the father of their 1-year-old baby girl, who was also in the Williamsbridge apartment at the time of the fire. Kerr was taken into custody two days ago.
"I was really hurt. I didn't want to believe that it was him," she says.
Police say 31-year-old Kerr, who has prior assault and drug arrests, was seen on surveillance video pouring lighter fluid inside Williams' room, along with a piece of paper that he lit on fire.
Williams' two sisters were also home getting ready for school at the time. One says her jacket was burned in the blaze.
Their father threw buckets of water to put out the flames. He was also shocked that Kerr was allegedly responsible, even though the two had recently broken up.
"I never thought the man was going to do something like that, he was an alright guy you know," he says.
Kerr is facing multiple counts of attempted murder, arson and endangering the welfare of a child among other charges.
Williams is ready to move on.
"It's behind us but it's something that I have to wake up every day and think about. It's going to be hard but I'll get through it," she says, adding, "I'm just happy that it wasn't worse than what it could be."
 


More from News 12
1:31
Vigil in Jericho honors memory of murder victims

Vigil in Jericho honors memory of murder victims

1:50
Warm afternoon with peeks of sunshine on Long Island; scattered downpours this evening

Warm afternoon with peeks of sunshine on Long Island; scattered downpours this evening

Authorities: Fisher rescued from water in Long Beach

Authorities: Fisher rescued from water in Long Beach

0:23
Police: 1 person hospitalized following Rockville Centre shooting

Police: 1 person hospitalized following Rockville Centre shooting

1:46
Hero doctor earns Heart Saver Award for saving soccer referee

Hero doctor earns Heart Saver Award for saving soccer referee

0:56
Islip Terrace fundraiser to benefit EMT on life support

Islip Terrace fundraiser to benefit EMT on life support

1:37
Manorville search related to Gilgo Beach case continues for fifth day

Manorville search related to Gilgo Beach case continues for fifth day

1:54
Arbor Day Festival at Planting Fields Arboretum marks 38th year

Arbor Day Festival at Planting Fields Arboretum marks 38th year

2:02
'Gains For Brains' girls lacrosse tournament raises awareness, funds for pediatric brain cancer research

'Gains For Brains' girls lacrosse tournament raises awareness, funds for pediatric brain cancer research

Mathew Barzal scores in 2nd OT as Islanders beat Hurricanes 3-2 to avoid series sweep

Mathew Barzal scores in 2nd OT as Islanders beat Hurricanes 3-2 to avoid series sweep

0:33
Delta plane lands at JFK due to emergency slide falling off

Delta plane lands at JFK due to emergency slide falling off

2:28
Doctors are seeing an increase in pickleball-related injuries. Here how to avoid them

Doctors are seeing an increase in pickleball-related injuries. Here how to avoid them

1:56
DEC: Delay in test results on soil, drums found at Bethpage park caused by technical issues at Grumman lab

DEC: Delay in test results on soil, drums found at Bethpage park caused by technical issues at Grumman lab

0:26
Officials: Bag of cocaine found during search of Melville restaurant

Officials: Bag of cocaine found during search of Melville restaurant

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

1:50
Selden man accused of abandoning dogs in state park

Selden man accused of abandoning dogs in state park

1:33
Disabled Army vet in Kings Park get new backyard with help from volunteers

Disabled Army vet in Kings Park get new backyard with help from volunteers

1:20
Police return to Manorville to continue search in connection to Gilgo Beach case

Police return to Manorville to continue search in connection to Gilgo Beach case

1:56
EXCLUSIVE: Police, K-9 search in North Sea at location of cold case murder

EXCLUSIVE: Police, K-9 search in North Sea at location of cold case murder

0:22
Suffolk County given $5M from federal gov't for construction of new bridge to Fire Island

Suffolk County given $5M from federal gov't for construction of new bridge to Fire Island