Residential fire claims life in Luzerne County

An early morning blaze Saturday killed one person and destroyed a home in Luzerne County.

The first calls came in just before 4 a.m. to a home along South Main Street in Shickshinny. Firefighters from Luzerne and Columbia counties responded.

Kenneth Ritchotte, 70, died in the fire, Coroner Dion Fernandes said. Ritchotte lived in the home with his wife.

She made it out, but Ritchotte did not. He possibly got turned around searching for animals, the coroner said. State police fire marshals are investigating the cause of the fire.

Part of South Main Street in Shickshinny was closed while firefighters battled the flames. The road is back open.

WNEP-TV ABC 16 Scranton

Share the Post:
FREE QUICK SUBSCRIBE

Sign up to subscribe to custom state
Daily Dispatch emails for free

Select list(s):