Cumberland Times-News

Local News

January 28, 2013

Oakland fire victim identified; cause determined accidental

Man was lone occupant of camper trailer

OAKLAND — The Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office has identified the victim of  Friday’s fire on Horseshoe Lane as 37-year-old Roger R. Reckart of Oakland.

Reckart’s body was located inside the burned remains of his 16-foot camper trailer located at 10 Horseshoe Lane in Oakland at about 6 p.m.

A preliminary report by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner revealed the cause of Reckart’s death to be the result of thermal burn injuries received during the blaze.

Reckart was the sole occupant of the trailer at the time of the fire.

The fire marshal’s office said the fire was accidental and caused by combustibles located too closely to a portable kerosene heater.

Twenty-five firefighters from Oakland Volunteer Fire Department responded to the blaze just before 6 p.m.  after a neighbor observed the trailer on fire. Upon arrival, firefighters discovered the victim’s body.

Investigators determined no working smoking alarms were present during the on-scene investigation.

Property damages were estimated at $1,500.

The Garrett County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the investigation.

Text Only
Local News
  • Massive Oklahoma twister kills 51 Massive Oklahoma twister kills 51

    A monstrous tornado at least a half-mile wide roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs Monday, flattening entire neighborhoods and destroying an elementary school with a direct blow as children and teachers huddled against winds up to 200 mph. At least 51 people were killed, and officials said the death toll was expected to rise.

    May 20, 2013 1 Photo

  • Piedmont town foreman Shingler enters guilty plea

    Piedmont Town Foreman John Shingler is facing a prison term of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000 after pleading guilty to a charge of conversion of government property Thursday in U.S. District Court, Northern District of West Virginia, Martinsburg, according to court documents.

    May 20, 2013

  • Final dress rehearsal for Rocky Gap Casino Final dress rehearsal for Rocky Gap Casino

    As required by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency, the Rocky Gap Casino went through final live testing of its operations Monday, with officials hoping to open casino doors for business on Wednesday.

    May 20, 2013 2 Photos

  • Airport commuter service not feasible, FSU student concludes

    A Frostburg State University student who undertook a survey about the feasibility of commuter service at the Greater Cumberland Regional Airport said he does not believe the findings are favorable for the service at this time.

    May 20, 2013

  • Straight shooter Straight shooter

    May 20, 2013 1 Photo

  • Oakland house fire said deliberately set

    Fire that damaged a Sanders Lane residence Sunday was arson, according to the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office.

    May 20, 2013

  • Rally weekend Rally weekend

    May 20, 2013 1 Photo

  • West Virginia gets reprieve from No Child Left Behind law

    West Virginia won limited freedom Monday from the federal education law known as No Child Left Behind, gaining approval of its own method for identifying struggling schools and then devoting resources to improve them.

    May 20, 2013

  • Group plans black Civil War veterans’ memorial

    Soldiers in Hagerstown were among the first black men in Maryland to join the ranks of the Union during the Civil War, and were involved in the siege of Petersburg, Va., during the conflict.

    May 20, 2013

  • Burning cases, student sanctions down at WVU

    West Virginia University is seeing a decline in malicious burning cases involving students.

    May 20, 2013

Facebook
Must Read
News related video
Obama Pledges Urgent Aid for Tornado Victims Raw: Aerials Show Path of Oklahoma Destruction Raw: Widespread Destruction in Moore, Okla. Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma Voters Could Elect LA's First Female Mayor Active Search for Utah Missing Mom Ends Huge Tornado Kills Dozens Near Oklahoma City Raw: Rescuers Pull Tornado Survivors to Safety Oklahoma Gov: 'Hearts Are Broken' After Tornado Raw: Walking in a Flattened Okla. Neighborhood Raw: Rescue Workers Search Oklahoma School Raw: Suspects Butt Dial 911, Lead to Arrest Raw: Witness Describes Scene After Okla. Tornado Raw: House Burns After Massive Oklahoma Tornado Raw: Aftermath of Massive Tornado in Oklahoma Raw: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma White House Backs 'Shield Law' for Media Split-second Choice Ended With NY Student Dead Commuters Face Delays After Conn. Train Accident RAW: TV Staff Take Cover From Tornado