By Associated Press - Monday, April 14, 2014

FAIRFAX, Vt. (AP) - Vermont State Police say an 80-year-old Fairfax man killed in a house fire was trying to light his woodstove by spraying a flammable liquid into the firebox when his clothes caught fire.

The victim of the Friday afternoon fire has been identified as Joseph Benoit.

Police say that Benoit and his wife, Phyllis, tried to put the fire out and she stayed in the house until the flames, heat and smoke became too dangerous for her to stay any longer.



Phyllis Benoit made it safety out of the home, but her husband remained inside.

Joseph Benoit was later pronounced dead at the scene.

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