DUNMORE, Pa. — Several people are unaccounted for after a massive blaze in Lackawanna County.
The Lackawanna County coroner tells us that the work at the place on Wheeler Avenue is just beginning.
Firefighters are now searching for the remains of three people who are still unaccounted for. They say it will be a tedious and dangerous process as the building now has many structural problems.
Fire officials said it was a ball of fire, with flames shooting from the roof and windows of the apartment building in Dunmore.
"There was flames coming out, you could almost feel the heat from about half a block away here, and the smoke is just engulfing the entire area, probably 4-5 block radius almost zero visibility," said Paul Mercuri of Dunmore.
"The biggest problem, in all honesty, is the dense smoke going all the way up that fire. Even into Throop, I heard," said Christopher LeBesque of Dunmore.
The fire at the building on Wheeler Avenue started around 11:30 p.m. Monday night.
Fire officials said four people made it out and were taken to hospitals.
Firefighters realized quickly several tenants were unaccounted for, and as they battled the flames, part of a porch on the building collapsed.
"My cousin actually lived up there years ago, and you know there was a three-story staircase and as far as I know, no other exits so if you're on the third floor I think you could maybe jump out a back window if you're lucky, but it looked a little hazardous," said Mercuri.
At one point, a firefighter was thought to be missing but was later found safe.
"God bless them. That's all I can say is God bless them and all of the work that they do, they are amazing," said Joanna Nobotka of Taylor.
Crime scene tape is up, and members of the county district attorney's office are on scene as well.
Wheeler Avenue between Mill Street and Cherry Street will be closed for most of the day Monday.
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