WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — "When they got to the second floor, they were met with extreme heat and a fire. Here, you couldn't even see your hand in front of your face," said Chief Jay Delaney from the Wilkes Barre City Fire Department.
Wilkes-Barre City Fire Chief Jay Delaney looks back at one of the most difficult calls he's ever responded to.
Last week, a fire sparked in the B'nai B'rith Senior Apartments in the city's downtown, displacing more than 100 residents and sending 19 to the hospital.
"They had to open up every single door. We couldn't take a chance. Even if we thought they were out, if there was a door that was locked, that door had to be opened, and we had to make sure someone wasn't in there," added Delaney.
Fire officials say accidental careless smoking caused the fire on the second floor.
While the flames were put out quickly, it was the smoke that threatened Tom Haggerty and 145 other residents.
"And I called 9-1-1 and let them know that I was trapped up there," said Haggerty, a resident.
After returning to the complex, Haggerty says the community has shown incredible support following one of the scariest nights of his life.
"The CEO comes with all kinds of groceries for everybody in this building. They really have been taking good care of us," added Haggerty.
Haggerty says he is most grateful for the first responders who put their lives on the line to save his.
"They are my heroes I'm here because of those guys, because they had to come and get me."
"We think we got the job done for them that night, and it's really nice for them to recognize that," said Delaney. "Our system worked, and we prove that it works well."
Chief Delaney says some residents still remain in the hospital on Thursday night.
After the cause was determined, Chief Delaney says he and other fire officials met with the management of the apartment, advising them to change their indoor smoking policy to make sure an accident like this never happens again.