Doing some websearches see that the red dye kerosene works fine, but may need to service/replace the wick more often on my Kero-sun heater. Sounds like they will also run on diesel (but may need more attention to the wick). But good to know in a pinch you can use diesel. With a CO alarm and a window cracked a bit!
I wonder too if he got the fuel wrong (put gas in instead of kerosene)?
I am talking about two very different types of heaters, the forced air ones are the ones usually used at construction sights are NOT to be used at home unless you really really have to, they will kill you in an unvented room.
The traditional kerosene heater that I have used for several decades has a round wick that draws up kerosene and basically burns like a clean candle, you adjust the flame to the point their is almost no yellow, they can be used indoors but still require some air movement, these I MIGHT use number 1 diesel in a pinch, would stink like well a diesel truck. Yes they could work on number 1 but number 2 diesel would smoke too much, not as light as number 1 diesel. Best to get high quality kerosene fuel and add some additives to remove any other smells, plus to remove any moisture from stored fuel.
Clean fuel is vital. Every 2nd or 3rd tank allow the heater to burn completely dry until it goes out by itself. This will burn out the tar deposits in the wick top. Wick tops are fiberglass in all but the smallest and earliest models. The wicks are not consumed, don't need trimming but will clog with unburned fuel components. Water in the fuel will dissolve the adhesives used to join the wick sections and also interfere with capillary action.