Three members of a northern Lancaster County family were found dead after a blaze in their home early Monday, a fire official said.
Firefighters found the bodies of Melvin Rissler, 83; his wife, Patti, 54; and their 24-year-old daughter, Rachel, in their East Cocalico Township home after responding to the 12:27 a.m. alarm, said Delvin Martin, spokesman for the Stevens Fire Company near Denver.
The Risslers' 17-year-old daughter, Heather, escaped the smoke and flames by jumping from a second-floor window, encouraged by an East Cocalico policeman who was the first on the scene, Martin said.
Heather Rissler was taken to Ephrata Community Hospital, where she was treated, Martin said.
The home is in a residential area along South Line Road, about 6 miles southwest of Adamstown.
Members of the Lancaster County coroner's office pronounced Melvin, Patti and Rachel Rissler dead at the scene. Officials in the coroner's office could not be reached for information on the cause and manner of deaths.
Martin gave this account:
The family was awakened by a smoke alarm. A family member called 9-1-1 to report that they were trapped.
East Cocalico police officers arrived first and tried to enter the building but were repelled by smoke and heat. One of the officers heard Heather Rissler yelling from a second-floor window and encouraged her to jump.
The house was engulfed in flames when the first crew from the Stevens Fire Company arrived. They immediately called for a second alarm, drawing crews from surrounding areas.
Firefighters tried to attack the flames but were pushed back by the heat.
Crews from eight Lancaster County fire companies assisted in battling the fire. The last crews remained on the scene until after 6 a.m.
The East Cocalico police officer who had encouraged Heather Rissler to jump and a firefighter were taken to the Ephrata hospital with minor injuries.
The officer suffered smoke inhalation and a knee injury, and the firefighter suffered a back injury.
A state police fire marshal is investigating the cause, but Martin said nothing indicated that the fire was set.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
