Three men escaped with only the clothes on their backs when flames ripped through a Lewistown Valley house trailer Tuesday, destroying it within minutes.

Firefighters from throughout the region responded to the 7:45 p.m. Walker Township blaze, drawing water from nearby ponds, but little could be done to save the building or contents.The trailer was fully engulfed within moments, according to witnesses."I ran over to the barn and got two fire extinguishers but it was too far gone," said property owner Brian Heisler.Heisler pointed to a backyard location just steps away."I was over there," he said. Despite being nearby, there was nothing he could do.The trailer was situated on a parcel adjacent to Heisler's farmhouse, a century-old farm surrounded by outbuildings nestled in the rolling hills of Catawissa Road five miles southwest of Tamaqua.Heisler said he's led to believe the fire started with a malfunctioning air conditioner, although no official cause has yet been determinedThere was a language barrier to overcome as the trailer's occupants spoke Spanish. Two are employed as laborers at nearby Koch's Turkey Farm.Neighbors expressed disbelief at the speed of the blaze and the amount of smoke, which could be seen for miles."I saw the flames. It happened so fast. It was ridiculously fast," said Carol Leiby, who brought food to the scene to offer the victims.Similarly, Valerie Leiby and son Brody, 6, brought their supper, consisting of hot dogs and hamburgers, and gave it to the victims.All three men were visibly distraught as they sat crouched against the red tin walls of an outbuilding to the rear of the Walker Township farm.Neighbor Zack Schegan noticed that the victims had some immediate needs and took action."I ran to my house and got my sneakers and socks," Schegan said. His wife Lindsey, also provided aid.Barnesville resident Michele Schegan rushed to the scene when she learned the fire was near her son's property.Upon arriving, she took off her sneakers and gave them to one of the victims."I think they were size 8 and they did fit him," she said, as she walked along the wet grass wearing only socks.Afterward, Valerie Leiby summed up the response by the neighborhood in this post on Facebook: "You pull together for your community whether you know the people or not. It's what makes this world a better place."Fire departments from New England Valley, Tamaqua, Pottsville, Tuscarora and New Ringgold were among the many units who responded.The Tamaqua Salvation Army was on hand to offer assistance and arrange for additional donations and lodging.Victims were offered housing for the night by a local friend. They expressed uncertainty, however, about their plans for the days and weeks ahead."They were nice neighbors. They kept to themselves," said CarolLeiby.A Ford Explorer also was destroyed by the flames and another SUV parked a few feet away sustained extensive damage.