Hazle Twp. fire victim identified

HAZLE TWP. – The Luzerne County Coroner's office identified Mary Louise Cook, 47, as the woman who died in an early-morning fire on North Church Street – also state route 309 – in Hazle Township late Sunday. An autopsy is scheduled for today.

Anthony Gentile, 54, was injured in the same blaze and flown to Lehigh Valley Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition Monday.

According to Times Leader archives, Gentile was Cook's boyfriend, and both had run-ins with the law. Last month, Pennsylvania State Police filed drug-related charges against them after responding to a domestic dispute about 12:20 a.m. Dec. 17. Cook's daughter told police her mother and Gentile had been drinking and arguing. When police determined no crime had been committed, the daughter told them about marijuana plants they then found in an upstairs closet.

Police also said at the time that Cook had a protection-from-abuse order against Gentile, who was arrested for the alleged violation of the PFA. Drug charges were filed against both.

Police are still investigating the fire.