Couple, Grandchild Killed in Pennsylvania House Blast

CORSICA, Pa. (AP) -- An explosion and fire ripped through a home in rural Pennsylvania, killing a retired Methodist pastor, his wife and their 1-year-old grandchild, state police said.

The 9 a.m. blast destroyed the home in Rose Township, 60 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. Investigators were still searching for a cause of the explosion Friday evening.

Killed were Charles F. Harper, 64, his wife, Dorothy, 53, and their grandchild, Bailey Harper.

Harper was the pastor of Seneca United Methodist Church in Venango County before retiring in the past year.

Autopsies were to be conducted Saturday.