Two people were rescued from a building fire in South Philadelphia's Grays Ferry neighborhood Wednesday morning at the intersection of 26th and Tasker streets.

Philadelphia Fire Department Executive Chief Daniel McCarty said crews saw heavy fire coming from the second floor of a three-story building when they arrived just before 7 a.m.

An elderly man was rescued by firefighters and taken to an area hospital in critical condition, McCarty said. A woman was also rescued and transported in stable condition.

"It's what they train for every day," McCarty said of the firefighters to ran into the building. "We're not only just responding in our professional way, we know time is of the essence, especially for our fire department here in Philadelphia."

McCarty said a third person who ran into the building to help was treated for smoke inhalation.

The building where the fire broke out is located next to the Abundant Life & Empowerment Center. Thomas Lewis, the pastor at the church, was identified later Wednesday morning as the good Samaritan who ran into the burning building. Lewis said the building is affiliated with the congregation and serves as part of their women's empowerment center.

Lewis told CBS News Philadelphia that the two people hurt in the fire were a woman who worked at the center and her father.

"She called me and said she smelled smoke. I run over. I was in the church building," Lewis said. "I run over to this building, went upstairs and seen the flames and tried to get everybody out. I just thank God to be alive this morning, and I thank God that everyone else is alive today. God is real."

More than 85 fire personnel responded to the fire and were able to get it under control in about an hour, McCarty said. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The American Red Cross and Philadelphia Fire Department's Community Action Team are currently working to assist the community.