Electrical Malfunction in Outlet Sparked Deadly PA House Fire

Jan. 3, 2023
Two sisters died in the Lancaster fire despite quick rescue by firefighters.

An electrical malfunction in an outlet is being blamed for sparking a blaze that killed two sisters in Lancaster this past weekend.

Firefighters pulled the sisters from a second-story bedroom, Lancaster Chief Todd Hutchinson told WGAL, adding that crews made fast entry to perform the rescues. 

But the Lancaster County Coroner's Office said Anna Leavitt, 18, who was a senior at McCaskey High School, died at the hospital from smoke inhalation.

Anna's sister, Ariana Leavitt, 13, an eighth-grader, was taken to a burn center in critical condition. She died from her injuries Monday morning, just after midnight.

"It hits a lot of the firefighters hard. They did everything possible to give those girls a fighting chance," the chief said.

A fire marshal ruled the fire an accident, saying an electrical malfunction in an outlet on the first floor was to blame.