A lit cigarette is thought to have caused the fire Wednesday morning that killed a well-respected Derby man.
David Kostrey, 56, the deputy director of the city’s Office of Emergency Management, died from smoke inhalation as he tried to rescue his dog as his apartment on the second floor of 196 Derby Ave. burned.
Kostrey woke his sister, Joann Raytar, up at about 2:30 a.m. to alert her of the fire. She managed to escape with minor injuries.
A memorial service took place Thursday in Derby City Hall.
Fire Marshal Phil Hawks said an official cause of the fire has not been issued, but investigators are leaning toward a cigarette that was left smoldering while the residents slept.
The fire has been ruled an accident.
“At this point and time, more than likely, it was smoking,” Hawks said. “That’s what we’re looking at.”
Hawks said he is waiting for more information from the investigation.
“In the next few days we’ll come up with a final (determination) of how to label it,” Hawks said.
The fire started in the front bedroom of the second floor. A family downstairs escaped without injury.
Kostrey was an avid amateur radio operator and did extensive volunteer work.
Kostrey was a well-known member of the Valley Amateur Radio Association, said Betsey Doane, the group’s president.
“Dave was club secretary and just wonderfully helpful to all and was very appreciative of help from others. He enjoyed learning new things. We lost a very good friend. Our prayers are with the family,” she said.
Kostrey is survived by two sisters, Raytar and Sue Orner.
Calling hours are Friday, March 12, 2010 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the William R. McDonald Funeral Home at 2591 Main St. in Stratford.
