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HUNTINGTON TWP. — A man was killed in a fire early Sunday morning at his residence in Stillwater.
Mason Mott, 38, of 1837 Route 239, was unable to escape a blaze that started in the kitchen. Fire departments were dispatched to the scene on Route 239 at 2:11 a.m. on Sunday. Mott’s wife, Rachael, and three children made it out of the house safe. Most of the house was compromised and the Mott family lost most of their belongings.
Luzerne County Coroner William Lisman pronounced Mott dead at 11:30 a.m. when his body was discovered once the fire was tapped out. There will be an autopsy performed Monday afternoon. Pennsylvania State Police fire marshals are investigating the blaze.
According to a relative of Mott’s, the fire started in the kitchen and one of the three Mott children saw the blaze. Rachael and her children were able to escape but weren’t aware that Mason was home at the time. The Motts raced to a neighbor’s house and saw that Mason’s car was not in the driveway. However, Mason was dropped off at the house by a friend earlier in the night.
Huntington Valley, Shickshinny, Benton, Hunlock Creek, Sweet Valley and Orangeville fire departments were all dispatched to the scene throughout the day. Route 239 was closed at times throughout the day and the Pennsylvania department of Transportation was called in to apply salt to the roadway. Units were cleared from the scene Sunday afternoon.
A GoFundMe page has been created to help the family. There will be a clothing and monetary donation drop-off from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday at the McKendree Little League Field on McKendree Road in Shickshinny. The three boys range in sizes from seven to 14. The shoe sizes of the boys 2, 5/6 and 7. Rachael is a size small.
Also, there are jars for monetary donations for the family at Spencer’s Western Cafe and the Bethel Hill Market.