Man Dies In Mobil Home Fire
By Doug La Rocque
The Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Department says a 64 year old man perished when flames tore through his home Saturday night, March 16, at the County Acres Mobile Home Park in Pittstown. The victim is identified as Robert Thomas. According to Pittstown Fire Department officials, the structure was fully engulfed in flames on their arrival, and they reported multiple explosions, later determined to be from oxygen tanks stored in the home. Because of gusty winds, the fire was spreading to a neighboring home as well.
A second alarm was sounded, as firefighters extinguished the fire on the nearby structure, and turned their attention to the main blaze. Pittstown Fire Chief Jason Harris said in a Facebook post, the fire was brought under control in about 30 minutes, and they then turned their attention to search and rescue efforts for Mr. Thomas, who was reported unaccounted for. His body was discovered a short while later.
Pittstown firefighters were assisted by a multitude of other area departments, including Raymertown, Hoosick, Center Brunswick, Johnsonville, West Hoosick, Melrose and Mountain View. Ambulances from Pittstown, Hoosick and the Mohawk Ambulance Service were also on standby. The last departments cleared the scene about 2:30 am.
According to the Sheriff’s Department, the cause of the blaze remains under investigation, though it is believed to be accidental in nature.