Feb 17, 2016 2 min read

PITTSBURGH – Three men were found dead after a fire tore through a Pittsburgh boarding house, authorities said.

The fire in the three-story building in the city’s Homewood North neighborhood was reported shortly before 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, officials said.

Fire Chief Darryl Jones said heavy flames were visible when crews arrived, and the fire was so intense that it set off an alarm next door.

Public safety spokeswoman Emily Schaffer said the bodies of two men were found on the second floor, and the third victim was found on the third floor.

The Allegheny County medical examiner’s office said identification of the victims would probably not be completed Wednesday.

Officials and neighbors said the residence was a boarding house where six or seven people, often homeless, would stay at a time.

Nearby resident Cohen Dior, 20, said the owner of the residence let him stay there when he was having problems at home.

“He helps a lot of people; he’s a good guy,” he said. “It’s going to be bad here now, for real.”

Bob Cravener, of New Kensington, said the man who ran the home would open his home, kitchen and wallet to anyone in need.

“It pained him to see people down on their luck,” Cravener said. “He would fix your car, feed you, clothe you – he was a true saint.”

The cause of the fire is under investigation.