‘We’re going to miss him:’ Man identified in Newport News fatal fire

The victim in Sunday’s fatal fire in Newport News has been identified as 64-year-old Kenneth Vines.

Newport News Chief Deputy Fire Marshal John Applewhite, said this is the first fatal house fire the city has had in more than a year.

Just before 4:30 a.m. on Sunday, fire crews were called out to Hampton Avenue for a house fire.

Heather Eckstine 9:39 AM, Jan 28, 2024

Two people were able to get out of the home, but Vines was trapped on the second floor.

“I really thought it was a nightmare,” Renee Young, a neighbor, said.”When I opened that window up and saw the blaze coming out of the roof it was just surreal.”

John Hood

Young, who lives next door, said she couldn’t believe what was going on.

Fire officials told News 3’s John Hood, that when crews went inside they found the staircase had collapsed and needed to use ladders to get to Vines.

Once upstairs, firefighters were able to get Vines out of the home, but he later died.

Story continues