WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — More than 100 residents were forced from the B'nai B'rith Senior Apartments along East Northampton Street in Wilkes Barre on Thursday night.
Crews responded to a 3-alarm fire at the high-rise senior apartment building around 6:30 p.m.
Authorities say one person is in critical condition.
Wilkes-Barre City Fire Chief Jay Delaney believes the flames sparked on the second floor of the high-rise.
Thelma Jeremiah was on the sixth floor of the apartment complex. She says, struggling to breathe as her floor was filled with smoke before she was rescued by firefighters.
"We all couldn't breathe. We were all just shouting for help," said Jeremiah. "We got to take turns to put our faces through the window to get some air; look at my mask, how it is black."
Bystanders were also quick to take action.
"We saw them evacuating. This is probably the fifth person we've helped over here," said Savana Gwynn.
Savana Gwynn was at a nearby laundromat when the fire first started; she quickly switched gears.
"There were a few people who definitely needed medical attention that we got help for, and we are just waiting for more people to come out to see if they need help," added Gwynn.
There are two shelters set up for residents who were forced from their homes.
Newswatch 16 is at the scene and will bring the latest on this developing story; it will be updated when new details are available.