Preliminary findings released on cause of fatal Coxsackie fire

COXSACKIE — State police released preliminary findings Tuesday from their investigation into a fire that killed a Coxsackie man Saturday night.

The fire began just after 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8, at 53 Washington Ave.

Lawrence Connolly, 74, was pronounced dead at the scene. His cause of death was determined to be smoke inhalation.

Connolly’s wife, Victoria, was treated for smoke inhalation at the scene after being pulled out by a couple of passersby. The couple’s cat was also rescued from the fire.

“The investigation into the cause of the fire is continuing, however, the preliminary determination is that the fire was caused by an occupant attempting to solder some pipes, accidentally causing a fire on the third floor,” according to a statement from New York State Police.

Connolly had mobility issues and may have had trouble navigating the stairs, Town Supervisor Richard Hanse said.

“He had a [knee] transplant recently and it had not gone well,” Hanse explained.

Although Connolly had walked with a crutch, it did not hold him back, Hanse said.

“It never kept him from doing things,” Hanse added. “He was soldiering on in spite of it.”

Larry Connolly is fondly remembered by the Coxsackie community: he played an active role in local politics and was a member of the D.M. Hamilton Fire Department since 1968.

State police were assisted at the scene by the state Office of Fire Prevention and Control Fire Investigators, Coxsackie police, the Greene County Sheriff’s Office, the Greene County Fire Investigation Team and Greene County Emergency Services.

The Coxsackie, New Baltimore, Coeymans Hollow, Athens, Catskill, Medway-Grapeville, Greenville, Earlton, West Athens and Hudson fire departments responded. Coxsackie and Ravena ambulance squads also assisted.