Firefighter work at a blaze in Gamble Township on Monday. PHILIP HOLMES/Sun-Gazette

A raging three-alarm blaze was burning out of control Monday afternoon at the Gamble Township home of retired Dr. Raymond Lukas and his wife Susanna.

The fire broke out about 2 p.m. Dr. Lukas was not in the house, and Mrs. Lucas got out safely except for a bloody hand caused by a family cat she rescued from the fire.

Firefighters made an initial interior, but everyone was pulled out about 2:30 p.m

Flames, reaching 50 feet in the air. were so intense by 3:15 p.m. that firefighters had to start pulling a fire truck and ladder apparatus away from the front of the house at 2 Stone Creek Drive .

Water pressure in the area was so poor that firefighters just could not get enough water to get ahead of the fire.

With ammunition exploding inside the home and propane tanks venting, firefighters scramble to get the fire truck away from the front of the burning home. PHILIP HOLMES/Sun-Gazette

Loud bangs and explosions from ammunition inside the house were going off for more than 30 minutes.

With little or no water pressure, firefighters stood by helplessly as the entire home was consumed by fire.

Much of the home had collapsed into flaming rubble by 3:40 p.m.

Firefighters managed to draft water from Loyalsock Creek.

With ammunition exploding inside the home and propane tanks venting, firefighters scramble to get the fire truck away from the front of the burning home. PHILIP HOLMES/Sun-Gazette