Metro

Queens mall arson suspect busted

A 23-year-old man is in custody after a three-day series of Queens mall fires, cops said.

Dereck Sumair of 87-86 160th St. in Jamaica was charged with multiple counts of arson, criminal mischief and reckless endangerment.

The string of arsons began Friday at the Sears store in the Rego Center Mall, cops said.

The firebug struck the mall again on Sunday night , this time at TJ Maxx and Staples, cops said.

On Monday, cops said, Sumair entered the Queens Center Mall Macy’s at about 3 p.m. and set clothing ablaze using a lighter.

Employees at the store said the flames reached the ceiling.

“I was just trying to make sure everyone was OK,” said one employee.

The arsonist then struck again at the Rego Center Mall, cops said.

“There were people inside, so I think he wanted to hurt someone,” said one Sears employee.

An officer who had a photograph of the firebug taken from surveillance video at the Staples recognized the suspect and arrested him, cops said.

The man was being questioned at the 112th Precinct station house.

There were no injuries reported in any of the incidents.