A mother and her six children died in a house explosion and fire in central Pennsylvania yesterday morning, authorities reported.

Pennsylvania State Police identified the victims as 34-year-old Sarah B. Stolzfus and her children: sons aged 11, 10, 5 and 3, and daughters aged 8 and 6. The incident occurred around 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 19, at a home in the 700 block of Long Run Road in Lamar Township, Clinton County, near Mill Hall.

Fire departments from Clinton, Centre and Lycoming counties responded to reports of an explosion and found the single-family home fully engulfed in flames. Crews confirmed seven people were trapped inside but could not conduct a search due to the intense fire, which rapidly consumed the structure.

Investigators believe a propane leak inside the residence sparked the explosion and fire. Exterior propane tanks at the property did not explode and were not contributing factors, according to state police. The origin and cause remain under investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit, led by Trooper Stephen Schramm.

Neighbor Christina Duck described hearing a loud boom that shook her home, followed by flames visible through the windows. She rushed outside and watched as the entire house became engulfed within a minute. Duck said the family had moved in a couple of months earlier and she often saw the children playing outside.

Lamar Township has a significant Anabaptist population, including Amish families who commonly rely on propane for heating and cooking in rural farmhouses. While not officially confirmed, the circumstances align with such communities.

The tragedy has stunned the rural area, located about 35 miles southwest of State College. No further details on the family's background or potential memorials were immediately available as the investigation continues.