Doll Sparks Fiery Inferno

A Washington Heights man died last night in a fire caused by a hairstylist practicing techniques on her dolls. No, really. Apparently, [Ida Cocino was studiously styling in her apartment at 517 W. 160th St. when the hair dryer ignited her mattress], leading to an inferno that raged through the building. She ran to alert her neighbors of the fire, but because she left her door open, it quickly spread. One resident, an older man whose roommate identified him as Miguel Grullon, refused to leave the apartment—perhaps believing it to be a joke. You might, too, if a woman came to your door explaining she was combing her dolls’ hair and now the whole building is ablaze. When the truth finally hit Grullon, so did superheated gas—right in his face. He was found in the hallway, unable to escape. It just goes to show you: Believe your neighbors no matter how outlandish their story is—sure, they could just be getting their kicks, but you never know when a doll-playing beautician turned pyro is telling the truth.

Photo courtesy of [Malingering on Flickr]