MONROE COUNTY, Pa. — Investigators are sifting through what's left of an apartment building on Poco Lane near East Stroudsburg. Sunday night, around 5 p.m., the building went up in flames.
Pennsylvania State Police say a 68-year-old man died, and two people were sent to the hospital with burns.
"I was in my room. I was playing a game, watching football with my boys when I hear screaming and everything like saying help, help," said neighbor Devante Hawes.
That same call for help caught the attention of Liz Howatt. She tells Newswatch 16 she's lived at the apartment for more than 20 years, but it only took a few moments for it to be destroyed.
"It just kept traveling very quickly; at that point, people ran. I grabbed my cat and put him in the car. I wanted to get other stuff, but it was too late," described Howatt.
"It's sad because people they lost their homes and everybody has to start from square one now, it's a lot," said Hawes.
Officials say the apartment building had five units.
The Red Cross is helping some of those displaced while others are staying with friends.
Officials have not released the name of the man who died, but his neighbors are remembering him as they make sense of this tragedy.
"He always said hello to everyone and you know he is very much loved and will be missed. We have another guardian angel," said Howatt.
"They say sometimes tragic events bring people together, so we're gonna get through this. We'll get through this. One day at a time," said Hawes.
A Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal is still investigating what caused the deadly fire.