Liberty Hose Co. No. 2 - Incident Detail #1454

Careless Smoking is believed to be the cause of a fire on June 30, 1975, that claimed the lives of a man and a woman. Pronounced dead at the scene of the fire at their residence were Keith Witmer, 31, and Mary Unger Kadenok, 25, both of 429 North Street, according to Lykens Fire Chief Donald Pell, who said the two died from burns and smoke inhalation. Pell said the bodies were found in the 2? story frame house by firemen who responded to the 2:30 a.m. alarm. After investigation, Pell said State Police Fire Marshall Trooper Thomas Minnich said the blaze was possibly caused by a lighted cigarette left on the couch. Firefighting efforts were hampered by intense heat and smoke and firemen from Lykens and Wiconisco were at the scene until 4am, Pell said. The fire was confined to the first floor, he said.