Mother and six children killed in explosion and fire at Pennsylvania home

Firefighters confirmed that seven people were trapped, but they could not search the building engulfed in flames

• https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/feb/17/sign-up-for-the-breaking-news-us-email-to-get-newsletter-alerts-direct-to-your-inbox?utm_medium=ACQUISITIONS_STANDFIRST&utm_campaign=BN22326&utm_content=signup&utm_term=standfirst&utm_source=GUARDIAN_WEB">Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox

A mother and six children ranging in age from three to 11 were killed in an explosion and fire at a central https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/pennsylvania">Pennsylvania home, authorities said.

Firefighters responding to a report of an explosion and fire at a home in Lamar Township in Clinton county near Mill Hall on Sunday morning confirmed that seven people were trapped, but they could not search the building engulfed in flames, Pennsylvania state police said in a statement.

All seven died and police identified them as Sarah Stolzfus, 34, four sons, ages 11, 10, five and three, and two daughters, ages eight and six.