A devastating house fire early Wednesday morning claimed the lives of three people, including an infant, at 655 1/2 E. Fifth Ave., city officials confirmed.
The victims have been identified as Mason Elliot Marshall, 27, his girlfriend, Christin Nicole Woodman, 26, and their infant son. Authorities have not released the name of the child. Two other individuals escaped the blaze and were evaluated by medics at the scene.
Lancaster Fire Chief Slade Schultz said firefighters arrived around 1 a.m. to heavy fire conditions. “Two people were rescued from the house. They were treated and evaluated on scene by Lancaster medics. They were not transported,” he said. The blaze was complicated by the home’s location off an alley between Fifth and Sixth avenues, which made firefighting efforts more challenging.
Multiple fire departments assisted at the scene, and the Red Cross was contacted to help a displaced resident. As of early morning, the fire had been contained.
City police and the county coroner’s office are on scene. The fire is under investigation, and the cause has not yet been determined.
Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
