It comes as investigators search for the cause of the deadly blaze.
SHENANDOAH, Pa. - A fire destroyed five row homes in northeastern Pennsylvania early Tuesday, killing a woman and three children in one house while a fourth child managed to escape out a second floor window as the flames closed in, fire officials said.
The blaze spread quickly, and the buildings were fully engulfed when crews arrived within minutes of the 6:30 a.m. call. Firefighters attempted a rescue, but they made it only a short distance inside the front door of the victims' home before having to retreat.
"The fire was too intense," said Shenandoah Fire Chief Richard Mensick.
Four people, three of them children, died early Tuesday morning when fire raced through five row homes in Shenandoah. The dead included a 28-year-old woman, two ten year olds and a baby.
As the sad news rapidly spread through Shenandoah, the offerings of balloons, candles and flowers grew on East Coal Street, as people came to grieve for the young mother and three children killed in an early morning fire.
Schuylkill County Coroner Dr. David J. Moylan said Matejick Snyder and the three children all appeared to have died of smoke inhalation and ruled the manner of death accidental due to the fire.
State police fire marshal will be investigating and determine how the fire started. Cause of the fire is being labeled "undetermined" while the investigation continues.
