Fire Sunday morning at Tacoma apartment

TACOMA, Wash. — Pierce County firefighters rushed to a burning apartment building full of people very late Saturday night.

By morning, Coventry Court Annex on Golden Given Road East as still smoldering firefighters were dousing hot spots.

And neighbors told us about an incredible rescue by Joseph Moise, who lives down the road.

"He cleared the whole building probably within three minutes," said Jasmen Simmons, who lives and works nearby.

Moise says he, his sister and her boyfriend were driving home after bowling when they saw the smoke and flames and didn't hesitate.

“It was like so much smoke we couldn't breathe," said Moise. “We knocked on the doors. The lady wasn't answering so we left but then she came flying out with her kids and threw a kid at me.”

Moise says there were three kids, all about 4 to 7 years old, screaming, on the burning second floor.

“Jose ran in there in the fire pulled another one out, handed me him,” he said. “My sister grabbed one. We took the kids then we ran to the other doors and made sure everyone was out.”

The mom and kids were all safe.

"All I could think of was: get out," resident Rany Khun said.

Firefighters at the scene told KIRO 7 News residents of 12 units are displaced, including Khun's family.

"Luckily my son woke me up and I started running to go get my dad,” he said. “My wife already had the little baby and when I was running down the stairs I was yelling: You guys got everybody?! Yes, I was like, oh God."

Moise said he did not hear smoke alarms.

Fire investigators will try to pinpoint the exact cause of the fire.

Great work by @CentralPierce @WestPierce & @TacomaFire on putting out overnight fire @ Coventry Court Apt in #Tacoma pic.twitter.com/XJREBwlwf3
— KIRO 7 Jussero (@JJusseroKIRO7) May 8, 2016