House Explosion in Cairo

PRESS RELEASE

  The New York State Police at Catskill are investigating an explosion that completely destroyed a house located at 597 Bross St. in the Town of Cairo that occurred at 4:40pm on December 5, 2015. The investigation into the cause of the explosion is continuing; however, the preliminary determination is that the explosion was caused by the occupant attempting to re-light his propane heater’s pilot light which in turn ignited the accumulated propane within the residence. The sole occupant, a 62 year old male, suffered severe burns to his legs, hands, arms, back and face. He was flown to the burn unit at Westchester Medical Center where he remains in critical condition with burns to between 80 and 90 percent of his body. The State Police were assisted at the scene by The Cairo Fire Dept., The Town of Cairo Police Dept., The Greene County Sheriff’s Office and The Greene County Fire Investigation Team.