FNN Article Friday, April 17, 2026.
GAINES, PA – A Gaines Township man passed way due to injuries he suffered in an early morning house fire back on April 1, 2026.
According to Pennsylvania State Police, 95-year-old Milton Beacker, passed away on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at the burn center due to the injuries he suffered in the fire.
The fire was reported early Wednesday morning, April 1, 2026, by a passerby noticed smoke coming from a house located at 1025 Route 6. The person went to the home and saw flames through the window. The passerby was unsure if anyone was home, however, a vehicle sat inside the garage. The good Samaritan tried opening the door, but it was locked, so they banged on the door in hopes that if anyone was inside they would call out for help.
Fire units from Galeton, as well as a Galeton ambulance were first to rush out to a reported structure fire. A tanker and RIT crew from Crary Hose Company out of Westfield and Wellsboro medics were next to be dispatched by 4:27AM to a house fire in Gaines Township.
Early reports suggested possible entrapment as emergency crews rushed to the scene.
Galeton fire personnel arrived on scene by 4:46 AM.
1025 Route 6 Gaines Township, PA. Home before it was destroyed by flames.
One person was discovered in the burning home. That individual was extricated from the structure around 4:47 AM and an ambulance from Wellsboro was next to be dispatched by 4:48 AM.
A 95-year-old male victim was pulled from the home and had suffered multiple first and second degree burns on his body. He also suffered from smoke inhalation.
A medical helicopter was requested due to the burn injuries the elderly gentleman had suffered. However, no medical helicopter could fly due to the poor weather conditions.
The victim was loaded into the Galeton ambulance and by 5:08 AM Wellsboro medics arrived on scene and immediately assisted in treating the patient. The homeowner would be transported to the Lehigh Valley Regional Burn Center for treatment of his injuries.
The fire was brought under control around 4:58 AM. Crary Hose units arrived at the location by 5:00 AM. It was noted at 5:11 AM that there would be extensive overhaul. The fire was finally reported out at 5:32 AM.
A Pennsylvania State Police Fire and Explosion investigation unit member was requested by the Galeton Fire Chief, in hopes of discovering the cause and origin of the fire.
According to Pennsylvania State Police, an investigation into the fire was conducted on Thursday, April 2, 2026. The fire investigation would lead police to learn that Beacker intentionally set the fire in his home. A subsequent death investigation is now being conducted and is ongoing at this time.
FNN was told by individuals who knew Beacker, said he had been suffering from dementia, however, Pennsylvania State Police, did not list that in their release.
Milton Beacker’s wife, Ethel passed away on December 5, 2019. The couple had seven children.
