Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that William Shannon, 69, an official scorer for Major League Baseball, died in a house fire in West Caldwell this morning.
Shannon lived in the home with his mother, Mildred Shannon, 92. Ms. Shannon sustained what are believed to be non-life threatening injuries. She was taken to St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, where she is being treated.
The fire broke out around 8:45 a.m. Neighbors rescued Ms. Shannon. Firefighters, public works employees and others attempted to rescue Mr. Shannon from the second floor of the split level house located on Crossbrooks Lane but were unsuccessful.
Paramedics responded to scene and pronounced Mr. Shannon dead at approximately 11:30 am. The cause of death has not yet been officially determined.
At this time the fire does not appear to be suspicious, according to Assistant Prosecutor Jeffrey Cartwright, director of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Arson Unit.
