A Monroe County fire victim is thanking her heroes and speaking out about the tragedy, in a story you'll only see on News13.
Tomorrow will be one month since the deadly fire broke out in East Stroudsburg.
While we still do not know the cause of the blaze at the the Wander Inn Apartment Building, a couple who made it out is counting their blessings.
Two people lost their lives in the fire. And while the community continues to mourn the loss, there’s also the stories of human triumph born out of this tragedy.
Fire Victim Susan Miller says, "Those people, there was a reason they were there at that time. And I honestly know that I have a purpose here because things could’ve ended much differently for us.
Miller smelled the smoke first and then saw the flames out her front window. She quickly learned the whole front porch of the Wander Inn Apartment Building was on fire and escaping out the front door wasn’t an option. Instead she ran to wake up her fiance Jeremiah and was able to open a side window.
Neighbor AJ Robinson says, "Hear someone screaming for help. I literally was skimming around, trying to figure out where it was coming from at first. I ran to the side, I see a woman with blond hair screaming for help."
Miller says, "And then they said jump, jump, jump! So I climbed out onto the air conditioner that was right below my window, maybe three or four feet below my window and people were down there telling me to jump so I jumped."
Robinson says, "We see another elderly man coming out and he’s blowing out smoke out of his mouth and that’s when I knew immediately, we’re not going to be able to get this man out the same way we did with her."
Robinson remembered his neighbors had a ladder and ran to grab it. Someone filming the blaze from across the street caught the brave bystanders running to help. One was Stroud Area Regional Police Detective Chris Shelly.
Miller says, "I watched [him] pull Jeremiah out the window by his head and shoulders, dragged him upside down."
Shelly says, "I actually had no fear going up the ladder, no fear coming down the ladder. After it was all said and done, I was shaking. So the fact that it was over 500 pounds on the ladder that holds 300 pounds, the fact that I didn’t drop him or fall backwards, there’s no doubt in my mind that the good lord was with me that day, supporting me, using me as his vessel."
Shelly shows us the small part of the window on the right side that allowed the couple to escape.
Shelly says, "The only moment I will take from this and I will remember this till the day that I die, is after we got him down, he was giving me a big old bear hug."
Both were taken away in ambulances, Jeremiah had smoke inhalation and burns on his hands and Susan suffered a broken arm. The pair are now recovering and in a new home thanks to the outpouring of community support.
Miller says, "We’re just really grateful that we’re here and able to share the experience, and grateful for the people that were there, and still are."
They had just moved in a month prior and lost everything. Organizations like Shelly’s Olsen Christmas Wish are helping them build it back.
Shelly says, "That’s part of the community though, still coming together and you know trying to put some light on this tragedy."
A memorial service was held last weekend for the couple who died in the fire. And a benefit is being held later this month at the American Legion to further help all the families affected by this tragedy.