Two United School District students died in a fire early Sunday morning in Indiana County.
“A young person’s death is always tragic, and the sudden loss of life can have a profound effect on surviving students,” United Superintendent Richard Lucas said in a statement.
The fire was at a home in the 900 block of Dilltown Heights Road in Buffington Township, according to state police. The Indiana County coroner said an adult discovered the fire at 2:30 a.m. Four people escaped, but two children were trapped.
According to the Indiana County coroner, a 12-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy died. The coroner said he would not release their names.
One adult was taken to a hospital, troopers said. Police determined the fire started on the first floor. The cause remains under investigation.
In his statement, Lucas said the school district has made arrangements to have support services in place for students and staff in need, including its counselors and members of the Indiana County Stress Management team.
Supports will be available at United Junior Senior High School beginning at 8 a.m. Monday and on Wednesday when students return to school.
“We ask that each member of our United family keep the families of these students in their thoughts and prayers as they grieve and seek to recover from this tragedy,” Lucas said.
