MANSFIELD, PA – A house fire claimed the life of a Mansfield man on Wednesday afternoon, September 10, 2025.
The fire was reported just before 2:00 PM by a passerby from Lock Haven who happened to be traveling along Route 6 when they noticed black smoke coming from the back of a mobile home. The home was actually located along the 150 block of Route 660. The passerby and his passenger stopped to assist and together with a nearby neighbor a rescue was attempted as no flames were visible, just thick heavy black smoke.
The homeowner’s house keys were still in the back door when the individuals tried to enter the home to help. As they tried to open the door they realized that the Mansfield man was right behind that door. Although the victim was quickly pulled out from the home, he had already passed away, according to those on scene.
According to a friend, 61-year-old Michael Steven Kubat of Mansfield, PA, formerly of North Dakota, passed away in the fire. Kubat was said to have moved to the Mansfield/Wellsboro area approximately five years ago.
Fire crews from Wellsboro, Middlebury, Mansfield, as well as Elkland RIT, responded around 1:57 PM to the house fire along Route 660 in Charleston Township.
Fire personnel arrived at the home around 2:03 PM, and confirmed that black smoke was visible. It was also noted that a victim had been pulled out of the home.
The fire inside the home was located and knocked down by 2:21 PM.
PennDOT was requested for traffic assistance as Route 660 was closed down at 2:25 PM between the intersection of Route 6 and Route 660 and Rice Road. Rice Road was used as a detour to keep traffic away from the fire scene as fire crews continued to extinguish the fire.
At 2:30 PM Wellsboro Fire Chief issued a request for a coroner. A short time later a request to have the Fire Marshal out of Lycoming County respond to the fire scene was also made by Wellsboro Command.
The responding Elkland fire crew was redirected to standby for Wellsboro as everything was under control at the fire location.
The Fire Marshal would arrive at the tragic scene around 2:49 PM. Around that same time, the fire was reported out and Mansfield fire crews were able to head back to their station. Middlebury fire units were cleared to return to their station by 3:25 PM. At 3:45 PM all remaining fire crews on scene were cleared with the exception of the Wellsboro Fire Chief who remained on scene with the Fire Marshal.
Route 660 was reopened between 4:30 PM and 4:45 PM. The Wellsboro Fire Chief and the Fire Marshal were able to head back to their stations around 6:53 PM. Surprisingly Pennsylvania State Police has not yet issued a release about the fatal fire or a cause.
According to a family member, it seems Michael Kubat had returned home and noticed the fire and went inside to put it out by himself. Sadly he never made it back out of his home.
Buckheit Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc. of Mansfield, PA is assisting the family. An obituary has not been finalized by the family at this time.
If FNN receives any additional information it will be added to this article as an update.
The volunteer staff at FNN extend our condolences to the family and friends of Michael Kubat.
