Former firefighter killed in overnight Middletown house fire
Officials say the preliminary cause of the fire appears to be an overloaded power strip, although the investigation remains ongoing.
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A former firefighter has died following an early morning house fire in Middletown on Saturday.
Officials say the fire broke out just after midnight Saturday at a single-family home on Starhaven Avenue. Investigators believe the blaze started in a lower-level bedroom, where the victim was staying.
The homeowner, Ryan Hylton, says smoke alarms inside the home likely saved his life.
“They were very loud, very sensitive,” Hylton said. “Once that went off, I was instantly awake.”
Despite efforts to reach the man downstairs, including breaking windows to gain access, responders were unable to save him.
The victim has been identified as Steve Piccoli.
Neighbors described a chaotic scene, with heavy smoke pouring from the home and emergency crews rushing in. Two firefighters and two police officers were treated for injuries and later released.
The Middletown Fire Department says a blown power strip is the likely cause of the fire.
