Portable propane heater linked to fatal Winsted blaze

Fire engulfed a barn in Pine Plains. N.Y. on Jan. 2.

Photo courtesy the Passeri Family

Portable propane heater linked to fatal Winsted blaze

WINSTED — An early morning blaze that claimed the lives of a man and a dog at a Walnut Street residence Dec. 27 has been linked to a portable liquid propane heater fueled by two 20-pound LP tanks inside the home, according to Winchester Fire Marshal Steven Williams.

The case remains open pending positive identification of the victim from the deceased’s relatives and an official report from the chief medical examiner’s office, said Williams during a phone interview Jan. 4.

“The cause at this time is still under investigation by myself and the State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit, but I will say that the deceased was utilizing a portable liquid propane heater in the home which was hooked up to some propane tanks” the size commonly used for outdoor grills and heaters, the fire marshal explained.

Williams explained that propane heaters consume oxygen and can be fatal if not ventilated correctly.

“He also had a kerosene heater in one of the hallways, but it wasn’t in use,” Williams said. “The state fire code doesn’t have a problem using them in single-family and two-family homes, but residences with three or greater dwellings, that’s where the fire code kicks in and prohibits the use of kerosene heaters.”

On the other hand, “portable LP [liquid propane] heaters,” the fire marshal said, “are not allowed under the fire code.” Those who choose to heat their homes with propane should only use units professionally installed, mounted to a wall and vented to the outdoors.

Two additional unrelated fires in early January kept Winsted firefighters scrambling. One involved a chimney fire caused by a build-up of creosote, and the other blaze at a garage-type structure on Perkins Street caused by a faulty electric motor in a furnace which seized up and ignited, said the Winchester fire marshal.

“In that situation, the fire department got there quickly so there was substantial smoke, but not a lot of damage done,” said Williams. “I’ve been to two fire situations this week, and I hope we don’t have any more.”

Latest News

Frederick Wright Hosterman

KENT — Frederick Wright Hosterman passed away peacefully in his home in Kent on April 16, 2025. Born in 1929 in Auburn, Nebraska, he was the son of farmers. He attended a one-room schoolhouse just outside of Brownville, Nebraska, adjacent to his family’s farm. The little brick schoolhouse is still standing! After graduating from high school, Fred attended the University of Nebraska (Lincoln), eventually earning a master’s degree in agronomy. He took a job with Monsanto in Buffalo, New York, where the company was a pioneer in applying biotechnology to agricultural sciences. In Buffalo, Fred met his future wife, Dorothy. Fred and Dorothy moved to New York City for several years in the early 1960s, before settling down in Norwalk. In Norwalk, Fred and Dorothy had three children. The family later moved to Kent. In 1980, Fred and Dorothy divorced, and Fred bought a large tract of land on Carter Road in Kent. He built a house there, largely by himself, which he maintained until his death at age 95. After taking early retirement, he spent the following decades working on his property, adding various buildings, woodcrafting, landscaping, and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Keep ReadingShow less
Nancy (Case) Brenner

CANAAN — Nancy (Case) Brenner, 81, of Canaan, passed away peacefully in her sleep at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital in Torrington, following a long illness on Good Friday, April 18, 2025.

Nancy was born on April 10, 1944, to the late Ray Sargeant Case Sr. and Beatrice Southey Case. She was the second youngest of five children, predeceased by her three brothers, Ray S. Case Jr., David E. Case and Douglas C. Case, and her sister Linda (Case) Olson. She grew up in New Hartford and Winsted, where she graduated from Northwestern Regional 7 High School.

Keep ReadingShow less
Adam Rand

SHEFFIELD — Adam Rand, 59, of Sheffield, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully in his home on April 22, 2025, after a long battle with ALS.

Adam was born on April 6, 1966, to Lee and Charles Rand II of Boston, Massachusetts. Adam spent his early childhood in Nantucket, where his love of fishing and water was born before moving to Sharon. It was here where he made many lifelong friends and later graduated from Housatonic Valley Regional High School in 1984. He attended Hiram College in Ohio before settling in Connecticut.

Keep ReadingShow less