There were four fatalities, a mother and three children, in a house fire on 439 State Line Rd. in Vestal Thursday morning. Crews arrived around 2am to the remote home which was fully engulfed in flames. The fire was reported by a teenage resident who had jumped from a window to escape the blaze.


In a press conference which was held at 10am, officials say that the fire took a half hour to control and that firefighters had to approach the home on foot, due to the homes location. Fire officials say they are still climbing through debris in search of the victims.


Two students of the Susquehanna Valley school district were said to be casualties of the fire in press release from the school district this morning.


The release goes on to say, "Our hearts are broken for the members of this family and their many friends throughout our district and beyond."


Grief counselors and social workers will be available to students Thursday.