The fire that killed a 97-year-old Rotterdam man Wednesday night was started when a kerosene heater malfunctioned, Schenectady County Fire Coordinator John Nuzback said Thursday.
Frank A. LaRosa, who lived alone in the brick, one-story house at 1930 Rensselaer Ave., was found dead inside by firefighters, who responded to the blaze around 7:10 p.m. The living room was engulfed in flames when they arrived.
Nuzback said samples from the scene are being analyzed by state police to determine why the heater malfunctioned, a process that could take four to five weeks. The fire has been ruled an accident, though, he said.
Nuzback, who retires as fire coordinator today, advised people to always follow manufacturer’s directions when operating kerosene heaters. He said to never use improper fuels or “adjust things that are for factory adjustment only.”
“If it was up to me, I wouldn’t let anybody use them, but it’s not up to me,” he said.
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Categories: News, Schenectady County
