70-Year-Old Man Dies in Schenectady Fire: Explosion Caught Firefighters Off Guard!
A tragic fire incident occurred in Schenectady on Friday, claiming the life of a 70-year-old man. The fire started at 15 Brown Street around 7 p.m. Firefighters responding to the scene encountered heavy flames and smoke coming from the first floor of the two-family home.
As firefighters prepared to enter the building, an explosion was heard from inside. Following the explosion, the victim, identified as Wayne D. Cook, was found dead on the first floor of the residence. Fortunately, no one was present on the second floor at the time of the fire, and no other injuries were reported.
According to the source, Chief Don Mareno provided details about the incident, stating that firefighters discovered five oxygen cylinders and a small butane cylinder inside the home. These may have contributed to the explosion that occurred during the fire.
The medical examination determined that Cook’s cause of death was smoke asphyxiation. While the investigation is ongoing, officials have preliminarily ruled the fire as accidental.
This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers associated with fire emergencies and highlights the risks posed by storing pressurized gas cylinders in residential areas.
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