Tioga County, Pennsylvania couple and dog die in late night house fire, cause unknown

A Tioga County, Pennsylvania couple died when a blaze broke out at their home over the weekend.

The fire started around 3 a.m. in a residence at 160 Mosher Road in Chatham Township, according to Chatham Township Fire Chief Matt Watkins, who said he was the first responder on the scene.

The house was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived and was a total loss, Watkins said.

He confirmed Leland Morse Rouse, 84, and his wife Laura Lillian Rouse, 79, died in the fire, along with their dog.

Leland Rouse was born in Blossburg and Laura was born in Coudersport, and they were married for nearly 62 years, according to their obituary.

Leland was a farmer and a Chatham Township supervisor for several years, and both he and his wife were active in 4-H, the Tioga County Fair, and the Chatham Township Volunteer Fire Department, the obituary stated.

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The cause of Sunday's fire is under investigation, but determining cause and origin will be difficult due to the extent of the damage, Watkins said.

Mutual aid was provided at the scene by the Middlebury, Clymer, Crary Hose, Tioga, Wellsboro and Elkland fire departments, he said.

Fire crews cleared the scene around 10:45 a.m. Sunday.

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This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Fire in Tioga County, Pennsylvania claims lives of couple and dog