Officials identify victim of fatal Schenectady fire

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- Schenectady Fire Department officials identified the victim who died on Friday in a structure fire on Brown Street. Fire Chief Don Mareno said Wayne D. Cook, 70, died of smoke asphyxiation.

Mareno said the department responded to 15 Brown St. at 7 p.m. and learned one person was entrapped. Once on the scene, heavy flames and smoke emerged from the first floor of the two-story home.

Before entering the home, Mareno said there was an explosion from inside. Mareno said fire investigators found five oxygen cylinders and a small butane cylinder, which would explain the explosion crews heard.

Cook was identified through an autopsy performed by Ellis Hospital. Mareno added that a preliminary investigation into the cause shows the fire was accidental.