Jane Lerner

jlerner@lohud.com

Gas leaking from generator in garage led to explosion that killed New City man

Explosion was a "tragic accident" Clarkstown police said

Injured wife has recovered and left burn unit; husband buried.

A New City couple's attempts to mop up fuel leaking from a portable generator in their garage led to the explosion last month that killed one of them and injured the other, police said Friday.

"It was a terrible accident," said Clarkstown police spokesman Officer Peter Walker. "Anyone would have done the same thing in that circumstance."

Luis Fernandez and his wife, Ruth Fernandez, smelled gasoline and went into the garage of their 51 Hansen Ave. home late on Oct. 27, according to an investigation by Clarkstown police.

When the couple found gasoline leaking from the generator, Ruth Fernandez opened the door to the utility room to get rags to clean up the mess.

When she did that, the pilot light from either the water heater or furnace ignited the gasoline fumes, the investigation found.

The blast shook the house and killed Luis Fernandez, 67. Ruth Fernandez, 65, suffered serious burns to her hands and face.

She was treated at a New York City burn center and has since been released.

The tragedy serves as a reminder to avoid storing potentially hazardous materials in a garage attached to a house, Walker said.

"You have to check equipment to make sure things aren't leaking," he said.

Funeral services were held earlier this week for Luis Fernandez, who also is survived by his daughter and grandchildren.

Twitter: @JaneLernerNY