TOWANDA -- We now know the name of the 2-year-old boy who died in a fire in Bradford County.
According to published reports, John David Yoder III died inside his family's home on North Fourth Street in Towanda when flames ripped through the place late Saturday night.
The first alarm on Fourth Street came in around midnight. The first units on the scene reported flames coming from the home and people trapped inside.
“It was just devastating. They didn't have a chance, the fire department is right up the road. They were here fast, they were very very good, and they did their best. There just wasn't anything they could do,” said Lisa Watson, a neighbor.
When the red brick home at 112 North Fourth Street in Towanda went up in flames, next door neighbor Watson could only look on in horror.
The fireman said it was the biggest, hottest fire he had ever seen, because the house is brick and it acted like a chimney. It kept everything contained.
Police said there were four people inside – parents who were able to rescue their 10 month old baby, but could not get to their two-year-old son.
"The little boy who died would follow his dad around. He wanted to help daddy, wanted to be like daddy and followed him everywhere he went," said Watson.
When neighbors looked at what the fire left behind, they tried to come to terms with the loss of such a young life.
"It's sad. I feel sad for the parents, and for their loss," said Martha Sekeraki, a neighbor.
"Prayers are needed, and just anything anyone can do to help," said Watson.
The cause of the fire has not been released.