SIGEL – Residents are speaking out tonight in Jefferson County after a deadly house fire Friday that killed two people and injured one.
Fire crews responded Friday morning to a call about a house fire in Heath Township.
"About 6 a.m. our dog is just making some commotion, didn’t think a whole lot about it,” a neighbor said. “Go to find out that it's one of the deceaseds' house was on fire."
6 News talked to a resident who didn’t want to be identified, who says they heard noise and went to check it out.
"We were able to walk up along the side of the road there and were able to watch from afar, fortunately, and the flames it was pretty intense," the neighbor said.
The fire chief says the intense flames had already spread so much when they arrived they couldn’t do much to help.
"The house was fully involved help the people who are already out of the house," Sigel Volunteer Fire Department Chief David Smith said.
According to fire officials, it took numerous crews and hours before the fire was out.
Officials say three people were inside, but only one person made it out alive.
"To try and assist the people that are still in the house even though the house was fully involved with fire, you just feel a sense of helplessness," Smith said.
Later, a State Police K-9 could have helped find the victims but by then, officials say, it was too late.
The coroner has yet to identify the victims.
"We were unsuccessful in retrieving the other two people from the house," Smith said.
"It's very, very tragic,” the neighbor said. “You know, I don't wish that on anyone to have to die in that way."
Officials say the home is a complete loss. A State Police fire marshall has been called to investigate the cause of fire. Authorities say a third victim is still in the hospital.
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