Pennsylvania house fire kills seven adults and three children

Seven adults and three children are confirmed dead after a house fire early on Friday, Pennsylvania state police said in a news release. In a shocking and tragic twist one of the firefighters responding to the blaze discovered the house belonged to his relatives, many of whom are now among the dead.

A criminal investigation is under way, authorities said. The children who died in the fire were aged five, six and seven.

Baker said that the 10 victims the family expected to eventually be found included his son, daughter, father-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, three grandchildren and two other relatives.

The fire in Nescopeck was reported about 2.30am. One person was found dead inside the single-family home shortly after emergency responders arrived, while two other victims were found later in the morning.

The victims ranged in age from six to 70, authorities said. Some people were able to safely flee the burning home, authorities said, but roughly seven people remained unaccounted for on Friday afternoon.

Baker, who was relieved of his firefighting duties because of his relationship to the victims, said 14 people were living in the home. One of them was out delivering newspapers, and three others escaped, he said.