Hamilton Beach man dies in home fire

Hamilton Beach, a community known for tight-knit kinship, is in mourning this week after a fire took the life of one of its own.
Jeffrey Voltmer, 36, was killed early Thursday, November 1, when a fire broke out in the home of his mother, Cecilia Beutner, of 99-77 163rd Road.
At approximately 2:45 a.m., Engine Company 331 responded to a call at the address, where a candle that was left burning is suspected to have caused the blaze that began on Beutner’s back porch.
“A relative called my house and screamed, ‘Aunt Ceil’s house is on fire,’” said next-door neighbor James Denzer, whose wife is Beutner’s niece. “I dropped everything, threw on a pair of pants and came out. I had a garden hose, trying to put out the fire.”
Neighbors said Beutner was not ready to speak to the media regarding the event, but niece Karen Kaye, of South Ozone Park, said the reality of the loss hasn’t sunk in yet.
“There was nobody like my cousin,” said Kaye of Voltmer. “He was there for you. He’d drop everything and come help. He was an amazing person.”
“I babysat him,” added Denzer. “He babysat my kids when they were kids. He was a friend.”
Voltmer died of smoke inhalation, while Beutner suffered minor injuries.
Members of the West Hamilton Beach Volunteer Fire Department reported to the scene to assist FDNY. Department Chief Jonah Cohen, who knows the family personally, declined to comment during what he called a tragic time.
Beutner works in the office of Queens Councilmember Joseph Addabbo, who said he plans to give his assistant as much time away from the office as she needs. Addabbo declined further comment.
John Bluemke, President of the New Hamilton Beach Civic Association, lives across the street from Beutner’s home, which was destroyed by the flames. Bluemke said incidents like the fire stress the need to limit parking to one side of the street, to give firefighters better access to hydrants and burning buildings.
“That’s a point we’ve been fighting for a long time,” said Bluemke, who has known Beutner for over a decade. “Luckily, it didn’t affect this situation.”
“I’m shocked,” said Bluemke’s wife, Sharon. “Just stunned. You never think it’s going to happen next door.”
At least nine cats also perished in the fire. One more was being treated by firefighters.
“We’re just trying to be there for whatever [Beutner] needs done,” said Kaye. “She’ll need us all now.”