Fire Marshal Issues Cause Of Oxford House Fire

A fire that injured an Oakcrest Road man was caused by a leaking propane tank, according to a report from Fire Marshal Scott J. Pelletier.

Stephen Ugolik suffered burns to his face and hands, the report states.

Firefighters were sent to 46 Oakcrest Road on Jan. 31 after receiving a 911 call at about 11 a.m.

According to the report, Ugolik was in his basement workshop when he tried to turn on a propane gas tank connected to a propane heater.

A gland nut on the propane tank was allowing propane to seep out of the tank. The blaze started when Ugolik pushed the ignition switch on the heater, according to the report.

Ugolik tried to turn the tank off. An Oxford police officer first on the scene tried to stop the blaze with an extinguisher.

Forty-seven firefighters responded to the scene. Oxford called in mutual aid tanker trucks from Seymour and Southbury. 

The report officially declares the fire an accident.

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