The President of Burt’s Reliable Fuel Co, John Romanelli, died at Stony Brook University Medical Center after being injured at his business. Romanelli, 47, was badly burned in late December after a fuel fire erupted.
A fuel hose connected to a bio-diesel fuel truck broke, spraying the heat source Romanelli was using at the time on his Southold property. He suffered serious burns on his body and was airlifted to Stony Brook Medical Center where he died several days after the accident.
Those on the site say it was a freak accident and without the work by firefighters and those on the scene, the fire could have been much worse. Reports state that no structural damage occurred to any of the buildings on the company’s property. Though he remained in critical condition for several days following the accident, Romanelli died due to extensive injuries sustained in the fire despite the efforts of hospital staff.
Romanelli was a former Southold Town councilman and his viewing and funeral was attended by hundreds in the community.