FORTY FORT -- The search is underway to find what started a fire in Forty Fort that killed a well-known woman.
According to fire officials, this is the first deadly fire in the Luzerne County community in over 100 years.
The victim is being remembered as a caring person who looked after her husband and her neighbors and the only one who lived in the double home who did not make it out of the building alive.
By the time firefighters wrapped up their work, people in Forty Fort talked about their unspeakable grief.
The fire claimed the life of Rosalie McGough, who died in the home she and her husband moved into about a half century ago.
"I've never felt more helpless in my life," said Forty Fort Mayor Andy Tuzinski
"They got Mrs. McGough out, but we didn't know until later on that she didn't make it," said Mark Perugino.
Mark Perugino's mother Irene lived on the other side of the duplex. Shortly after the fire broke out, Irene escaped.
So did Rosalie McGough's husband Bob who needed a walker to get around.
But Rosalie was trapped on the second floor.
Mayor Tuzinski is also a Forty Fort firefighter.
"We tried to make it upstairs and the heat was and the smoke was just too bad."
Many neighbors remember Rosalie and Bob McGough's Italian restaurant in Kingston that they sold in 2003.
It is now an ale house and sports bar but was known as Piledggi's and known for its food and its hostess who made strangers feel like friends.
"It would be just one big happy family type of atmosphere, and she would be talking to people and serving people," recalled Phil Boyle of Kingston.
For so many in Forty Fort, the tragedy hits home.
Mark Perugino salvaged some clothing for his mother.
"She's very shaken up. She's in shock. Rosalie McGough and her, they've lived here 50 years and they're like sisters."
"It's an extremely sad first," said Mayor Tuzinski.
He believes Rosalie McGough is the first person in the 110 year history of the Forty Fort fire department to die in a house fire.
"This is kind of new to me," the mayor said. "We've never had a fire this bad. So it's tough. It really is tough."
The fire marshal was at the scene for most of the morning, but has not determined the cause of the fire.