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Oakland Gds. firefighter charged in Astoria brawl

By Alex Ginsberg

An off-duty firefighter was arrested and charged with assault, harassment and criminal mischief after he allegedly attacked the superintendent of his Astoria building on Christmas Day, prosecutors said.

The firefighter, 31-year-old Ahmed Morsi, was assigned to Engine Co. 326 in Oakland Gardens. The Fire Department is reviewing the incident but has so far taken no disciplinary action, a spokesman said.

Morsi was arraigned Dec. 26 in State Supreme Court in Kew Gardens, the Queens district attorney’s office said. Judge Steven Knopf ordered the defendant released on his own recognizance.

He is due to return to court Jan. 30.

According to a criminal complaint filed by the Queens DA, Morsi allegedly became involved in a dispute with his building superintendent, Ifassen Castillo, punching him twice in the head.

The defendant then picked up a piece of a broken bottle and swung it at Castillo, lacerating his right hand, the complaint alleges.

Castillo declined medical attention, police said, but nonetheless suffered pain, swelling and bruising, according to the complaint.

During the fight, Morsi also kicked the victim’s door several times, breaking the hinges, the complaint says.