Firefighters going up against a 2-alarm fire had more to battle than just the flames Monday afternoon.

Crews were dispatched short after 2:30 to the 600 block of Allen Street in Allentown.

Fire officials said a hoarder lived in the home. There was so much stuff inside they said the firefighters couldn't get in, so they had to fight the fire from the outside.

Shortly before 11pm, officials said a back hoe had to be brought in to tear off the front of the building off so they could fight the fire.

According to fire crews at the scene, after they did that stuff started pouring out of the home.  They said it was so bad that the first floor of the home actually collapsed, but only fell six inches.  It didn't fall any further because the debris that was in the basement held the floor up.

Due to the damage the house sustained, it will have to be condemned, but officials said they believe they can save the homes on either side.

Officials credit neighbors with rescuing three people from the home before crews arrived.

They said the homeowner originally tried to fight the fire alone, and didn't even call 911.

Neighbors saw the flames, called 911, and rushed into the home rescuing the homeowner and two other people who were inside.

Officials said they would like to use this incident to reiterate to residents the importance of calling 911 in the event of a fire.

They said had they been called immediately, they may have arrived at the home in time to be able to navigate around the items in the home to fight the fire, and maybe save the home.

They said luckily nobody was hurt in the fire, but according to the Red Cross, they are assisting 19 people who were displaced.

Officials believe the fire to be accidental.