Homeless man who died in Manchester tent fire ID'd

MANCHESTER - The homeless man who died in a tent explosion and fire on Saturday has been identified as 64-year-old Gary Silver.

The incident occurred around 1 p.m. behind 168 Willow St.

The state Medical Examiner's Office conducted an autopsy and determined that his cause of death was smoke inhalation; they termed the manner of death "accidental."

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Silver had acquired an indoor propane heater two days before the fire, two volunteers who work with the homeless told the Union Leader on Monday.

The $70 Mr. Buddy propane heater was still in its box when Silver showed it to them Thursday, the two told the newspaper.

The two women said they knew the homeless man who died as only Gary.

Some of the indoor heating units similar to what Silver likely was using for perhaps the first time say they are "tent friendly" and come equipped with oxygen depletion sensors and accidental tipover safety shutoffs.

State Fire Marshal Parisi and Manchester Fire Chief Goonan reminded the public that when using supplemental heating sources, one should make sure they are following manufacturer's specifications for clearance of combustible materials around the appliance and there is adequate ventilation in the area where the heating appliance is being utilized.

Anyone with questions about fire safety in their homes can contact a local fire department or the State Fire Marshal's Office.