Upshur man dies in house fire
By Gary Mallonee, Staff WriterArticle Photos
A 67-year-old Buckhannon man died early Tuesday morning after fire swept through his home. Three fire departments responded to the blaze that occurred at around 5 a.m. on Childers Run Road.
According to a prepared statement from the Upshur County Sheriff's Department, Carl Yakabitius perished in the fire and his body has been sent to the State Medical Examiner's Office. He was living alone in the home, police said.
When Deputy Rocky Hebb arrived on scene, the house was fully engulfed. According to Buckhannon Fire Chief Mitch Tacy, the fire is believed to have started around a wood stove and appears to have been accidental.
Hebb and Assistant State Fire Marshal Edsel Smith are investigating the blaze.
Responding to the scene were the Buckhannon Fire Department, Warren District Fire Department, Ellamore Fire Department, the Upshur County EMS and the Upshur County Sheriff's Department.





