Fire Kills Seven Children in Central Pennsylvania Farmhouse

Seven children perished in a fire that engulfed a Pennsylvania home on dairy farm in Loysville, Pa. Tuesday night.  Six girls, ranging in age from 7 months to 11 years old, and a 7-year-old boy died of smoke inhalation according to the Perry County coroner.

Their mother was outside milking cows when her 3-year-old child ran to the barn to alert her about the smell of smoke in the home.  She tried to get into the house, but could not and ran to the homes of neighbors asking them to call 911.

She then ran about a mile with the 3-year-old, the only surviving child, to the father's milk delivery truck where he was napping after making some deliveries.  By the time the parents returned to their home, firefighters had arrived to battle the blaze.

No cause or origin of the fire has been determined at this time, but the children's grandfather said he believes a propane heater the family used in the kitchen may be to blame.

The house is one of a cluster of homes near an intersection in Loysville, a rural stretch of farm land about 25 miles west of Harrisburg.  Authorities temporarily closed part of a highway near the farm to investigate the fire.

Messa & Associates has handled many burn and fire cases throughout the states of Pennsylvania and New Jersey which resulted in significant injuries and death.  Our attorneys have been successful in litigating cases and obtaining substantial awards in these matters including a $2.225 million dollar settlement for an 11-year-old girl who suffered burns when her nightgown was ignited by a space heater and a $3.7 million dollar settlement for the death of a Philadelphia child due to an apartment fire.  For more information or to speak with us about a case, please contact us at 1-877-MessaLaw.