FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, Pa. – Four children and one adult were found dead following a fast-moving fire late Tuesday at home in Carbon County, state police said.
According to a release shared on X, the state police Lehighton station received a call from the 911 communications center regarding a fire at a home on Willow Street around 11:48 p.m.
Troopers and firefighters arrived to find the home engulfed, the release said, with flames through the rear of the second floor.
Five individuals – one adult and four children – were later located deceased, the release said.
An investigation into the blaze is active and ongoing by the PSP Lehighton Criminal Investigation Unit and the Troop N Fire Marshal Unit.
“Updates will be provided as to not jeopardize the integrity of the investigation. Any information obtained from outside sources which was not released by the Pennsylvania State Police, Troop N, should be considered “unofficial,” the release said.
School district reacts
Lehighton Area School District Superintendent Jason Moser posted a message to the district’s website on Wednesday saying officials had “reason to believe” three students had perished in the fire.
The district said a kindergartner, first grader and nine grader were among those believed dead.
“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.”
The district said it was coordinating to ensure students have the support needed to help them through the loss, and would have dedicated spaces in each building available for students who need support.
“Tragedies such as this are incredibly difficult and felt very deeply throughout the entire community,” Moser said.
“It is at times like this that we as a community need to be caring and thoughtful about how each other may suffer from the impact of this loss.”
Lehigh County assists with investigation
Reports from Times News Online said the Carbon County Coroner’s Office confirmed three boys, one girl and a woman were killed, while a family on the other side of the duplex managed to escape.
Autopsies will be conducted Thursday at the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office and Forensics Center, Coroner Dan Buglio confirmed.
"I offered any and all assistance to Carbon County," Buglio said.
In collaboration, identifications of the victims will be released by Carbon County.
