Watch CBS News

Neighbors Come To The Rescue After Elderly Couple's Home Catches Fire

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Firefighters were called to a bad house fire in McKees Rocks.

It started Sunday morning at a home on Holmes Street.

Neighbors took action minutes after the fire broke out.

"I seen flames on the porch," said neighbor Ashley Carrabbia. "I called my aunt and we ran over and started getting everyone out of the house."

With the houses being so close together, they knocked on doors to help everyone get out before the fire started spreading.

"People in this house on the right are deaf, so my daughter kicked the screen door in, because it was locked," said another neighbor who did not want to be identified. "I'm assuming that's what they're telling me."

As the smoke and flames got worse, there was no sign of the couple who lived in the house where it started.

"Honestly, the flame was really little from my porch, but as soon as I came through here, it just went up, it just went up and it got bad after that," said the neighbor. "By the time I got over here, the heat was so bad, I didn't think anybody was going to make it. I really didn't."

But the woman says her boyfriend ran to the back and helped the man get out safely. A woman who also lived there escaped, but their dog died.

"He's an elderly man, but he was just sitting there with his head down ... all the poor man wanted was his dog," said the neighbor.

McKees Rocks firefighters kept the fire from spreading to other homes and the cause is under investigation. The couple lost most of their possessions, but neighbors are glad they were able to help in a time of need.

It's unclear how the fire started.

Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.