A 73-year-old Groton man died in a house fire early Sunday on Sovocool Hill Road, according to state police. Gary W. Hendrix was pronounced dead at the scene, while his 69-year-old wife escaped through a window and was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. The couple’s dog did not survive.
Firefighters from Groton and nearby departments, including Freeville, Dryden, Lansing, and McLean, responded to the blaze, which was extinguished by 1:30 a.m. Authorities suspect a kerosene heater caused the fire.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission warns that heating appliances should be placed at least three feet away from flammable items, never left unattended, and refueled safely. Furnaces and fireplaces should be inspected annually to prevent hazards.
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