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NESCOPECK — Ten people, ranging in age from 5 to 79, lost their lives in an early morning house fire in the borough, state police confirmed Friday afternoon.

State Police at Shickshinny have launched a criminal investigation into the incident.

Firefighters from Columbia and Luzerne counties responded to the blaze at 733 1st St. at about 2:30 a.m. Friday. The residence was completely destroyed, state police said.

Troopers identified the deceased as follows:

Dale Baker, 19

Star Baker, 22

David Daubert Sr., 79

Brian Daubert, 43

Shannon Daubert, 45

Laura Daubert, 47

Marian Slusser, 54

Juvenile male, 5

Juvenile male, 6

Juvenile female, 7

Luzerne County Coroner Frank Hacken said autopsies will begin Saturday.

State police said three people made it out of the house safely. The victims were located deceased inside the residence.

The Luzerne County Coroner’s Office assisted on scene, together with state police K9 units.

Participating agencies on scene were the Nescopeck, Berwick and Salem Township fire and EMS departments, as well as the American Red Cross.

Bernie Snedeker who lives a few doors down from the scene said his dog woke him up around 2:15 a.m.

“I never seen anything burn so intense,” he said.

The flames scorched tall trees surrounding the house. “It came up to the top of the trees,” Snedeker said.