BEACH LAKE, PA — Michael J. Kane, 77 passed away after a fire on Saturday, November 16 in Beach Lake.

 

On November 16 at approximately 3:20 p.m., the Beach Lake Volunteer Fire Company was dispatched for a working barn fire.  Upon arrival of the first engine, the initial barn structure collapsed, and it was determined there were multiple burn victims, two damaged dwellings, multiple vehicles, outdoor storage buildings and the nearby woods already on fire or sustaining heat damage. 

 

Four EMTs from Beach Lake Fire and Damascus Ambulance began patient care as fire crews eliminated additional fire spread to other buildings and took control of the vehicles, outbuildings and woods fire. Additional residents and pets on scene escaped injury.

 

A landing zone was established on scene and Kane was life flighted to the burn unit at Lehigh Valley Cedar Crest. He had sustained burns to about 50 percent of his body, and passed away on November 17.

 

Two additional burn patients were transported to Wayne Memorial Hospital by Damascus Ambulance. One of those patients were eventually also flown to Lehigh Valley. Both of those patients were treated and eventually released.

 

The barn, about 30x40 in size built with wooden beams and plank, is believed to have been ignited from a brush fire near the rear of the building. The intense heat and fire spread resulted in total loss of the barn and its contents, a work vehicle, motorcycle and outbuildings, with substantial damage to the main residence and minor damage to a secondary residence as well as to four additional vehicles. The source of the original brush fire has not been determined but is not suspected to be intentional or suspicious in nature.

 

The Beach Lake Fire Company would like to express their gratitude to mutual aid fire companies, EMS, the state police and the Wayne County 911 personnel for the assistance.