3 killed, 4 injured in Berks County, Pennsylvania, fire, police say
Three people have now died and three firefighters were injured after a fire broke out in a Robeson Township home in late April.
"I saw the black smoke first and then after 15 minutes, the flames were coming up through the roof," said Brian Osisek, who watched the fire burn from his home across the street.
The fire happened around 7 a.m. on Monday, April 28.
Police initially said that two men were killed in the fire. On May 3, officials confirmed that a third victim, a 74-year-old woman, died from her injuries.
"It was very unsettling because we know the family," Osisek said, who told CBS News Philadelphia he prayed with other family members when they arrived at the scene.
Other neighbors couldn't believe the flames.
"It was insane. It was actually crazy because it was a lot. And we just saw it on the news," one neighbor said.
The three injured firefighters are expected to make a full recovery.
"They are the real heroes. We talk about football players, and I love football and baseball, but they're the real heroes. Those guys rushed in there to save lives," Osisek said.
Chopper 3 captured the extent of the damage after the flames were put out.
"Obviously, we are in a very rural area. Water is a premium out here, so most of the resources that are requested during a fire such as this are going to be in the forms of water tankers," said Justin Schlottman, a police officer for Robeson Township.
The fire marshal's office says there was at least one working smoke detector in the house, and police are reminding the community to make sure their homes have them, especially after a tough month.
"It's going to weigh a lot ... The second fatal fire in less than a month," Schlottman said.
The Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal is investigating.
The cause of the fire is not known yet, but police say they believe it started outside of the home.
