Community Risk

Woman Killed, Man Badly Burned in Suspicious Fire

Jan. 28, 2013

A woman was killed and a man injured in a late Sunday night fire at a Hazle Township home. The home was quickly ruled a crime scene and firefighters say the blaze was suspicious.

Source The Citizens' Voice, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

Jan. 28--A woman was killed and a man injured in a late Sunday night fire at a Hazle Township home.

According to Luzerne County Deputy Coroner John Paletski, a 47 year old woman died in the fire. The Coroner's office is not releasing any further details on the cause and manner of death due to the ongoing investigation.

Firefighters labeled the blaze at 1354 N. Church St., also known as state Route 309, suspicious, while troopers from state police at Hazleton were quick to rule the home a crime scene after firefighters extinguished the flames and the smoke cleared. A dog was also killed in the blaze.

Troopers said they would not release more information on the fire until they conducted an investigation.

Hazle Township Fire and Rescue Deputy Chief Jason Bridge said a man found outside the home with burns was believed to have been taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital. He was unsure if the man sustained burns while trying to leave the home or while trying to pull someone out of the fire. Bridge said an unresponsive woman was found inside the home and was taken to Hazleton General Hospital.

The male's condition and names was unknown as of press time.