Loch Sheldrake, NY – Nevele Maintenance Worker Dies in trailer fire

Loch Sheldrake, NY – A 22-year-old man died early this morning when a kerosene heater malfunctioned and set fire to his trailer home on Route 52.

Family and neighbors identified the victim as Shawn Hummel. A female and 3-year-old son escaped when the family dog warned them of smoke.

The trailer was gutted by the fire, leaving behind only its charred frame, burnt furniture and melted toys. Hummel, who worked as a maintenance man at the Nevele Grande Resort & Country Club in Ellenville, was using at least three kerosene heaters to warm the trailer because he did not have heating fuel, his neighbors said. "Those heaters are dangerous to put in a room you sleep in," said Kristie Hosein, who lives in a trailer just 30 feet from Hummel's. "But when you have a kid what are you going to do? You need heat." [Record]