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Last updated on Saturday, January 2, 2016
(SPEEDWAY) — A man and woman are in the hospital in critical condition after a house fire in Speedway early Friday morning.
Fire crews responded to a call in the 5500 block of West 16th St. just before 3 a.m.
"When we arrived this morning we had heavy fire conditions coming out of the house. We had one occupant that lived in the house that was sitting outside on the sidewalk stating they had one victim left inside and we were able to extricate that victim," said Speedway Fire Captain J.P. Mathews.
Firefighters say Penny Stewart was inside. About three firefighters pulled her from the home and medical crews performed CPR. Stewart was taken to Methodist Hospital. Fire fighters said Stewart suffered smoke inhalation and has severe burns to her body. Stewart is listed in critical condition.
Her boyfriend, Greg Staab is the homeowner. Staab was outside when firefighters arrived. They say he suffered from smoke inhalation as well. Staab is listed in critical condition as well, but is improving.
"I couldn't believe it,"said Bill Evans, who lives next door. "My wife was still asleep, I went and woke her up and came out here and she was crying."
Staab is a former Sprint Car Driver. He's won many awards throughout his career and is well known and loved by neighbors and the racing community.
"He'd do anything for you," Evans said about his neighbor.
Firefighters believe the cause is accidental and likely starting in the living room. Investigators are still working to determine an official cause.
Firefighters also said they did not find any smoke detectors inside the home. They said this is an important reminder to check the batteries in your smoke alarms and to make sure you have a detector in each bedroom and hallway.
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