At least 20 people were displaced by a raging fire that tore through an apartment building at 137 W. Catawissa St. in Nesquehoning Monday afternoon.

“Some of them are very young babies,” Red Cross volunteer John Klitsch said.

Tanya Erdman, Meed's UMC church’s music director, was traveling to Nesquehoning to meet with church treasurer and borough Councilwoman Mary Fox when she saw thick black smoke.

Alarmed, Erdman parked her vehicle and ran to the scene.

“I heard people screaming, ‘There are babies up there!’,” she said.

As victims were leaving their homes with only the clothes on their backs, Erdman was unlocking the church’s doors.

Erdman and Fox immediately began distributing clothing to keep the families warm as emergency personnel tackled the fire.

As word of the fire spread, more church volunteers began to gather. They hoped to prepare meals for the victims, but couldn’t when a fire-related power outage struck.

The community came to the rescue, Erdman said. True Value Hardware donated lights, and McDonald’s, Rosetta’s Pizza and Confetti’s delivered food. Family Promise and Care Net came through with donations for the infants, Erdman said.

The help didn’t stop with area businesses.

“People were just coming in with all kinds of donations. The community was really coming together,” Erdman said.

A seemingly nonstop line of people visited the church with baby clothes, gift cards, toddler beds and food, Erdman said.

“I’ve been on my phone all day with people who want to help,” she said.

As of Monday evening, Erdman wasn’t sure what else was needed.

“The dust is still settling,” she said. She expected to know more Tuesday and said anyone wishing to lend a hand can contact the 126 W. Catawissa St. church at 570-669-9212.

Because it’s unlikely that the victims will return to their residences, Klitsch said the Red Cross arranged financial assistance so they can find shelter at hotels or other facilities.

“And then they’ll be followed up with caseworkers within 48 - 72 hours. Somebody will call them and assess their future needs and helps them guide through the recovery process,” explained Klitsch, whose Red Cross chapter is based in Stroudsburg and is part of the Red Cross’s Greater PA region.

The Red Cross, he said, cannot release victims’ names due to confidentiality issues.