The victim of a three-alarm fire that broke out Saturday night in Wilkes-Barre has been identified as 63-year-old Michael Barnes. Luzerne County Coroner Dan Hughes confirmed that Barnes died from smoke inhalation, and his death has been officially ruled an accident.
Emergency crews were dispatched to the home on Columbus Avenue around 7:30 p.m. on February 28, where they found the front of the residence heavily engulfed in flames. Despite the rapid response from Wilkes-Barre, Hanover, and Kingston firefighters, Barnes was unable to escape the structure. Officials also confirmed that a pet dog and cat perished in the blaze.
The Wilkes-Barre Fire Department and state fire marshals are still working to determine the exact cause of the fire.





