Man charged in 2022 Stricker Street fire that killed 3 Baltimore firefighters

A man has been charged with arson in connection with a 2022 fire on Stricker Street that killed three Baltimore firefighters, WBAL-TV 11 News Investigates has learned.

James Edwin Barnett, 57, of Baltimore, was arrested Friday and charged with three counts each of second-degree arson, second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter and reckless endangerment, according to online court records.

The charges come three years after a vacant rowhome collapsed during a fire on Jan. 24, 2022, trapping three firefighters. Baltimore City Fire Lts. Kelsey Sadler and Paul Butrim and Firefighter\EMT Kenny Lacayo died in the fire, and Firefighter John John McMaster suffered extensive injuries.

Firefighters are maintaining a memorial park that replaced the vacant burned-out building.

“On special occasions, they bring flowers, they come and congregate. It’s pretty touching,” said James Dunn, a resident.

Read more: WBAL