Two people are dead, and two others injured, after a fire broke out Wednesday morning in apartments above a bar in East Stroudsburg

According to a news release sent out by the Monroe County Coroner’s Office, Jennifer Lugo, 34, and Ashton Patterson, 42, were pronounced dead at the scene.

Lugo was pronounced dead at 2:49 p.m., and Patterson, at 3:11 p.m. Both autopsies were scheduled to take place on Thursday.

Acme Hose Company No. 1 Fire Chief Nate Black said firefighters responded at 10:45 a.m. to a structure fire at The Wander Inn at 279 S. Courtland St.

Black said that upon arrival, firefighters encountered an extremely difficult scene at the structure, which had previously been The Goal Line.

“There was heavy fire from the front of the building; most of the second floor was fully involved,” Black said. “We knew there were apartments up there.”

Black said that in addition, there were power lines down across the street, as there was a breeze that was pushing the fire toward the exposure.

He added there was an apartment building beside the original building, and that at one point there were two buildings on fire.

Black said the damage done to the bar was extensive, as most of the roof had been burned off, and there was a lot of water damage, while the damage to the other building was heavy as well.

He said the fire was knocked down in a little over two hours, and under control in four hours.

Black said firefighters were on the scene for about six hours.

He said the cause of the fire is undetermined, and that a state police fire marshal is investigating in coordination with the Stroud Area Regional Police Department.

Black said also assisting at the scene were the Stroudsburg Fire Department; Stroud Township Volunteer Fire Department; Marshalls Creek Fire Company; Barrett Township Volunteer Fire Company; Shawnee Fire Company; Pocono Township Fire Department; Suburban EMS; Stroud Area Regional Police Department; Monroe County Office of Emergency Management; and East Stroudsburg Salvation Army.

Black thanked all who responded.

“Fire service in general, and in Monroe County, we all work well together,” he said. “When incidents are going on, we’re all on the same team, everyone works well.”

Black stressed the importance of having working smoke detectors.

“Make sure they are in good shape, make sure you’ve got good batteries in,” he said. “Practice good fire safety.”

Black also strongly recommended renters insurance, as he noted that a lot of the population in East Stroudsburg are renters.