UPDATE -  STATE POLICE INVESTIGATE HOUSE FIRE

Today, 11-30-09, at approximately 5:17 p.m. a 911 call reported a structure fire with possible entrapment at a single family residence located at 28 Park Road in Colchester. The Colchester Fire Department responded and upon arrival located a working house fire. Shortly after arrival fire personnel located a male subject inside the structure and rescued him from the residence. The male victim was in extremely serious condition. The victim was transported by ambulance to Marlborough Clinic where shortly after arrival he was pronounced dead.

The fire was declared under control by local fire officials. The Colchester Fire Marshal requested the response of State Police Detectives from the Office of the State Fire Marshal to assist in conducting the fire investigation.

A tentative Identifications has been made by investigators. The identity of the 66 year old deceased is being withheld at this time to allow for family notification.  A post mortem examination will be conducted by the Office of the Chief States Medical Examiner on Tuesday 12/01/09 to determine the manner and cause of death.  

***UPDATE***

A post-mortem examination was conducted The Office of the Chief States Medical Examiner on 12-1-09 and the victim has been identified as John Janiak (DOB: 04/25/43) of 28 Park Road, in Colchester.  It was determined that the cause of death was accidental due to asphyxiation caused by high levels of Carbon monoxide. 

The investigation is continuing.

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LT. J. Paul Vance