2 Pittsburgh-Area Children Die In House Fire

INDIANA COUNTY, PA — Two children died early and a woman was hospitalized early Sunday in a house fire in Buffington Township.

Crews were dispatched to a home on the 900 block of Dilltown Heights Road just before 3:15 a.m.

A 14-year-old boy and a 12-year-old girl perished in the blaze, Indiana County Coroner Jerry Overman Jr. told the Indiana Gazette. The woman who survived the fire was taken to an area hospital.

The victims have not been identified. But according to a social media post from the Glen Campbell Jr. Fire Department, both were students at United Junior/Senior High School in East Wheatfield Township.

"Keep the prayers for their family and the firefighters that fought the blaze," the post stated. "This is rough for all."

The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.

United School District Richard Lucas issued the following statement on Sunday:

"It is with the utmost sadness and grief that I am regretfully writing this letter," he stated.

"Last evening, the United School District Family lost two of its students to a tragic even. We offer our sincere condolences and support to the families of these students in these heartbreaking times.

"A young person's death is always tragic and the sudden loss of life can have a profound effect on surviving students. United is not just a community or a school, but a family. It is important in these trying times to recognize this tremendous loss and offer assistance and support."

Lucas said counselors and members of the Indiana County Stress Management Team will be available to students this week.