Fire crews are still investigating after, officials said, an adult and four children were killed in a house fire in Franklin Township, Carbon County, overnight.
According to the Carbon County Coroner’s Office, the deadly incident happened at a property located along Willow Street in Franklin Township.
In a morning update, the Pa. State Police said troops and fire crews were dispatched to that location at about 11:48 p.m. on Tuesday to find the home engulfed with flames.
The first floor, police said, was “fully engulfed” by flames and there were flames burning in the rear of the building’s second floor.
After working to extinguish the flames, officials said the remains of one adult and four children were found in the home.
Officials did not immediately provide further identifying details on the deceased, nor did they provide information about how these individuals may have died.
But, crews were still working at the scene at about 9 a.m. on Wednesday, officials said.
Fire officials have also not provided further information on what may have caused the deadly incident.
However, officials said an investigation is ongoing and more information would be provided “as appropriate.”
Jason Moser, the Superintendent of Lehighton Area School District, provided a statement sharing that it is believed three Lehighton students, a kindergartner, a first-grader, and a 9th-grader, are among the victims.
“Late last night and early this morning, our community suffered a tragic loss in a house fire. While details are not publicly available as of yet, we have reason to believe that three Lehighton students, a Kindergartner, First Grader, and a Ninth Grader perished in this tragic event. There are no words available to express how deeply sad this is for everybody. Please keep the families, friends, classmates, and anyone who has a close relationship with the deceased in your thoughts and prayers.”
NBC10 is working to learn more.
This is a breaking news story. It will be updated as new information becomes available.
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