Officials reported on Wednesday that between six to eight individuals remain missing following a devastating fire that tore through a residence in Pennsylvania as emergency responders were attending to a call.
During the response to the Pennsylvania residence on Wednesday afternoon, law enforcement officers encountered gunfire almost immediately, disclosed Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer during a press conference.
Stollsteimer conveyed that amidst the chaos, the house became engulfed in flames while shots continued to be fired from within.
Authorities noted that the residence is inhabited by a family, including children.
Given the ongoing blaze on Wednesday evening, Stollsteimer mentioned plans for a search for potential casualties and evidence to be conducted the following morning.
Stollsteimer informed that two male officers, affiliated with the East Lansdowne and Lansdowne police departments, sustained single gunshot wounds each. They were successfully evacuated from the scene by responding officers from the Upper Darby Police Department.
Thankfully, the injured officers are reported to be in stable condition with injuries not deemed life-threatening.
Stollsteimer disclosed that a distress call had reported an 11-year-old girl being shot at the East Lansdowne residence.
However, authorities have faced obstacles in entering the premises to ascertain the status of the shooter or any other individuals present, including the reported 11-year-old victim.
“We are actively investigating the scene,” affirmed Stollsteimer.
Subsequent to the initial exchange of gunfire, there have been no further reports of shots fired, and the fire has largely consumed the house.
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A neighbor, John White, recounted hearing gunfire and later additional shots before taking cover during the incident. He was subsequently evacuated from his residence by SWAT members.
