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Professor Dies in Fire After Birthday Party, Officials and Reports Say

By Nicholas Rizzi | May 22, 2017 11:11am
 Anthony Carter, 62, a professor at the University of New Haven, died after a fire ripped through his Charleston home, officials said.
Anthony Carter, 62, a professor at the University of New Haven, died after a fire ripped through his Charleston home, officials said.
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University of New Haven

CHARLESTON — A college professor died after a candle caught fire and the flames ripped through his home, officials said.

Anthony Carter, 62, had celebrated his birthday inside his 59 Pembrook Loop home Saturday before the fire started at about 10:56 p.m., according to police and the New York Post.

Carter's 9-year-old son tried to drag his father out of the home, the Post reported.

He was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

The fire also injured a 7-year-old boy who was treated for minor burns and smoke inhalation at Staten Island University Hospital North, officials said.

The FDNY ruled the fire was accidental and caused by an unattended candle.

Carter worked as a professor at the University of New Haven since 2005 where he taught undergraduate and master's level businesses classes, according to the university.

He got a doctorate in management from Western University and previously taught at Columbia Business School and Linyi University in China. He also lectured at schools in Lithuania and Georgia.

"The University of New Haven community was very sorry to learn of the tragic death of Tony Carter, who served as a dedicated member of the university’s faculty for more than a decade," the school said in a statement.

"He had a passion for mentorship and, for nearly the last 10 years, he has hosted a program that paired local youth with University of New Haven students to provide encouragement and advice. The University community expresses its heartfelt condolences during this difficult time to Professor Carter’s three sons, his family, friends, colleagues, and many students."