Middletown man in November 26 house fire still critical

A Middletown 82-year-old remains hospitalized, nearly a week after a fire that ravaged his house and damaged two adjoining ones in the Shadow Lake Village enclave. Meanwhile, investigators continue to hunt for the source.

Louis Rabenda is listed in critical but stable condition at Barnabas Burn Center in Livingston, according to Middletown Police, who classify the November 26 blaze as accidental.

Police said that he sustained second-and-third-degree burns to his head, face and hands, and suffered smoke inhalation.

Neighboring homes in the 55-and-up community were damaged by water used to bring the flames under control, police said.

Middletown PD Detective First Class Albert Scott reached the determination of accidental regarding the nature of the fire, but the source point has yet to be found amid the ruins.