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Propane Leak Eyed in Pennsylvania House Blast That Killed Mother and Six Children

Fire investigators say the fast-moving blaze kept rescuers from reaching the victims.

Overview

  • The explosion and fire Sunday morning in Lamar Township, Clinton County, left seven people dead, including a 34-year-old mother and her six children.
  • Emergency crews dispatched around 8:30 a.m. found the two-story home fully engulfed and reported the victims were trapped inside with no safe way to search.
  • State police say a leak of propane gas inside the residence may have triggered the blast, and they confirmed outside propane tanks did not explode.
  • The Pennsylvania State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit in Montoursville is leading an active origin and death investigation, with Trooper Stephen Schramm named in reports.
  • An obituary and local reports identify the family as members of the Old Order Amish community and say Sarah B. Stolzfus is survived by her husband, David F. Stoltzfus.