EAST STROUDSBURG, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — An investigation continues into a fire that broke out at a bar in Monroe County last week, taking the lives of two people.
Several first responder agencies were called to the scene, but others nearby stepped in to help those stuck inside.
The smell of smoke is still in the air at the former Wander Inn Bar and Grill in East Stroudsburg on Monday.
The building on South Courtland remains charred and filled with debris after flames broke out and engulfed it last week.
“It was hot, it was smokey.”
Fred Peck, a good samaritan who saw the fire and ran in its direction, helped a Stroud Area Regional Police Officer rescue a man stuck inside.
“I could see his face when he got to the window and then his hands came up and that was pretty much all he had left at that point to get to the outside because that smoke was so deep, it was coming out pretty intense at that time.”
That ladder was placed here on the side of the building where a woman jumped out of the window to escape.
“It was just dead weight coming out of the window… I kept telling him we have like eight steps, we have seven steps, we have six steps.”
They were able to get the man down from the second floor and across the street to safety. Peck says he didn’t think twice about jumping into action.
“I’m surrounded by people that I know who would’ve done the same thing. I mean, you’re just in the moment, you got to do something.”
Unfortunately, a couple died in the fire.
“Days after the fire, members of the community have placed balloons and flowers at the building, honoring the two people who lost their lives inside.” . . . “We have two people upstairs that have families right now who’s worlds are upside down in devastation because they lost them. It’s heartbreaking to know that two people didn’t make it out.”
The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.
Peck says he will always remember what happened but is extra thankful for all of our first responders and volunteer firefighters who put their lives on the line to respond to scenes like the one in Monroe County.
