WATERBURY, Conn. -- Investigators suspect a 44-year-old city man intentionally set a fire that claimed his life after arguing with his girlfriend early Thursday, Fire Chief David Martin said.
George Gaston, 44, of Waterbury, was rescued from 133 Griggs St. and transported to St. Mary's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, fire officials said.
The fire -- which began on the second floor where Gaston was allegedly arguing with his girlfriend inside of her apartment -- was extinguished within about 20 minutes, they said. Firefighters were called to the three-family house shortly before 2 a.m.
The residents of the first floor were able to escape, said police Capt. Christopher Corbett. No other injuries were reported. Gaston's girlfriend was not home at the time. Gaston was overcome by fire before he could escape, Corbett said.
His autopsy, conducted Thursday, determined that he died of smoke inhalation, Corbett said. His body had burns, he said.
Detectives worked closely with fire investigators, who expected to be on the scene collecting evidence most of the day, he said.
The American Red Cross is helping five people -- three adults and two children -- who were displaced by the fire, said Paul Shipman, Red Cross spokesman. Because someone died in the fire, the Red Cross sent a trained mental health responder to the scene, he said.
"Our thoughts are with the friends and family of the person who perished in this fire," Shipman stated in an e-mail.
Copyright 2012 - The Hartford Courant, Conn.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
