Man Arrested for '22 Fire that Killed Three Baltimore Firefighters

Baltimore Lt. Kelsey Sadler, Lt. Paul Butrim and Firefighter/EMT Kenny Lacayo were killed when a rowhouse collapsed while they were fighting a fire.
Nov. 15, 2025

A man has been arrested for the 2022 fire that killed three Baltimore firefighters.

James Edwin Barnett, 57, of Baltimore, has been charged with second-degree arson, second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter and reckless endangerment, WBAL reported.

Lt. Kelsey Sadler, Lt. Paul Butrim and Firefighter/EMT Kenny Lacayo were killed in the Jan. 24, 2022 rowhouse fire and collapse.

Firefighter John McMaster was seriously injured.

Baltimore Fire Chief Niles Ford resigned upon the release of an investigation of the incident conducted by fire officials from the city and three nearby jurisdictions.

About the Author

Susan Nicol

News Editor

Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues. 

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