An expert witness in the trial for William Beckerman, who is accused of setting fire to his home in West Hartford, CT, last year, testified Thursday that the fire was caused by a faulty furnace. Michael K. Higgins, a fire investigator hired by the defense, said that
soot blew through holes in a furnace flue pipe and onto the floor,
likely starting the fire. Soot is unburned oil that builds up when a
furnace is not functioning optimally, he said.
The fire burned heaviest in the furnace room, which is why the ceiling above it caved in before other parts of the ceiling — further evidence that the fire broke out near the furnace, Higgins testified.
Beckerman is accused of using fuels to set his home on fire on Feb. 11. Gasoline and kerosene were found in three areas of the home, including the top of a couch in the basement and a step of a stairway.
For more, see www.courant.com.
The fire burned heaviest in the furnace room, which is why the ceiling above it caved in before other parts of the ceiling — further evidence that the fire broke out near the furnace, Higgins testified.
Beckerman is accused of using fuels to set his home on fire on Feb. 11. Gasoline and kerosene were found in three areas of the home, including the top of a couch in the basement and a step of a stairway.
For more, see www.courant.com.
