May 28--The Luzerne County District Attorney's Office seeks to resolve contradictory reports from authorities investigating a fatal Wilkes-Barre fire.
Luzerne County District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis said in a statement Tuesday there will be a meeting with all agencies investigating the blaze that killed Laurie Merritt last month at her Wyoming Street home. She released the statement following a determination by the state police deputy fire marshal that the fire was intentionally set.
"This result contradicts the death certificate issued by the Luzerne County Coroner declaring the death to be accidental," Salavantis said in a statement.
Authorities including Wilkes-Barre police, the lead investigative department, have been probing the fire at 276 Wyoming St. since April 14 when firefighters found Merritt, 51, unresponsive in her attic. She was taken to Wilkes-Barre General Hospital early the following morning, where she died.
An autopsy revealed Merritt's death was caused by smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning. Luzerne County Coroner Bill Lisman on Tuesday said her death certificate was completed May 19, and her death was ruled accidental.
State police deputy fire marshal Trooper Ronald Jarocha on Tuesday said state police examined the evidence and determined the fire was arson.
Salavantis said it is necessary to review the findings of all of the agencies to determine how the two different conclusions were reached and on what information each was based.
Police have not charged anyone in connection with the fire. Wilkes-Barre Detective Robert Simonetti said police are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the fire and couldn't comment on whether there are suspects.
Police filed a search warrant in late April to obtain the phone records of Merritt's ex-boyfriend, Paul Kosakowski. Police sought to determine whether Kosakowski contacted Merritt the day of the fire and from where he might have done it, according to the search warrant affidavit.
All the doors to the residence were found to be locked after the fire was set, and firefighters forced entry, police said. The search warrant application also refers to the suspicious nature of the fire.
570-821-2110, @cvseibel
Copyright 2014 - The Citizens' Voice, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
