ALL MY CHILDREN STAR PAUL AVERY DIES IN HOUSE FIRE

Paul Avery, known for his role as Hughie the bartender in the American soap All My Children, died in a house fire at his home in Blairstown, New Jersey, on Tuesday shortly after midnight. His wife, Sheila Garry Avery, also died in the blaze. Firefighters removed both from the building whilst unconscious, but they died from their injuries shortly afterwards. Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire, which was brought under control by 1am.

Avery appeared in All My Children for 12 years and also featured in Superman, Three's Company and Tales from the Darkside during a 20-year acting career. He later transitioned to journalism and editing, writing film reviews and working across several publications before founding the Ridge View Echo. In 2018, Sheila suffered a stroke, prompting Avery to step down from some public responsibilities to become her full-time carer. According to Ridge View Echo employee Joe Phalon, Avery was also a Vietnam veteran and had experience in skydiving.

Avery's daughter, Kyle Avery, announced the deaths on Facebook, saying the couple "loved us so much, and nobody ever had to wonder if that was so". She expressed gratitude to the Blairstown Fire Department for their efforts. Joe Phalon told WFMZ that Avery's death would "leave a real void in this community". Service plans are to follow.