A devastating explosion and fire early Sunday morning claimed the lives of a mother and her six children in a rural Pennsylvania community.
The incident occurred around 8:30 a.m. at a two-story house on Long Run Road in Lamar Township, Clinton County. The area is located roughly 35 miles from Pennsylvania State University. According to reports, emergency responders arrived to find the residence already engulfed in flames.
Officials said the intensity of the fire made it impossible for crews to enter the building to search for survivors. A state police report noted that the structure was so heavily damaged that firefighters had no opportunity to conduct a search for victims while the blaze was active.
Authorities later identified the victims as 34-year-old Sarah B. Stoltzfus and her six children. The children included four boys, ages 11, 10, 5, and 3, and two girls, ages 8 and 6. All seven were pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators are looking into what caused the blast, with early indications pointing to a po0ossible propane leak inside the house. State police said propane tanks located outside the home did not explode and did not contribute to the spread or severity of the fire. Officials continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the explosion.