DERBY— The person who died in an early morning fire today on Derby Avenue has been identified as David Kostrey, 57.
Kostrey’s body was found in a room in the rear portion of his apartment on the second floor of a two-family house at 196 Derby Ave.
He died of smoke inhalation, according to a spokeswoman at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner’s office. The death was ruled accidental, she said.
A female, believed to be Kostrey’s sister, who also resided on the second floor, sustained minor burns and smoke inhalation and was taken to Griffin Hospital.
She has not been identified.
The fire broke out around 2:30 a.m., according to police and fire personnel.
Dave Kostrey was a member of the Greater Bridgeport Amateur Radio Club. A posting on the club’s Web site said he died after returning to the burning building to rescue his sister, Joann, and his dog. The dog also perished in the blaze.
The posting said he was an active member of the club and worked “hard for the Derby OEM” (Office of Emergency Management).
Frank E. Lazowski, who lives right next door, said he woke up to his daughter telling him she heard what appeared to be a “car crash” or an “explosion.” After his daughter woke him, Lazowski said he heard screaming and yelling coming from outside his home.
“I went into my daughter’s room, looked out her window, and saw flames coming from the attic window of the house,” said Lazowski.
Lazowski said a woman, her spouse, and a child living on the first floor of the engulfed home made it out just fine. He said he invited them into his home for safety.
Lazowski said the woman living on the second floor was able to make it out safely, but was frantic because she could not get to her brother, who lives on the second floor with her.
“I saw the firemen pull her brother out,” said Lazowski. “They immediately put him on a stretcher and rushed him into the ambulance.”
