State Police investigate a fire in the village of Coxsackie

The New York State Police at Catskill are investigating a fire which extensively damaged a house located at 53 Washington Avenue in the village of  Coxsackie that occurred at 7:01 p.m. on December 8, 2018. The investigation into the cause of the fire is continuing; however, the preliminary determination is that the fire was caused by an occupant attempting to solder some pipes accidentally causing a fire on the third floor.

Lawrence Connolly, age 74, was killed in the fire. His wife was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation. They were the only occupants of the house at the time of the fire. The State Police were assisted at the scene by the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control Fire Investigators, The Coxsackie Police Dept., The Greene County Sheriff’s Office, The Greene County Fire Investigation Team and Greene County Emergency Services. In addition, Fire Departments from Coxsackie, New Baltimore, Athens, Catskill, Coeymans Hollow, Medway-Grapeville, Greenville, Earlton, West Athens and the City of Hudson fought the fire. Coxsackie and Ravena Ambulances were also on the scene.