66-year-old man pulled from house fire near Newark

Nancy Rybinski smelled smoke Thursday and went to check her grill to see if it was on, then she went to the front of her house near Newark.

"I thought maybe the neighbor was burning leaves," she said. "But I saw flames coming out the back side of the house."

Fire crews responded to a blaze shortly after 8 p.m. Thursday on the first block of Chestnut Avenue in the Roseville Park neighborhood. Firefighters found smoke pouring from the house. 

A 66-year-old resident of the home was taken to Christiana Hospital for burns and smoke inhalation, Assistant State Fire Marshal Michael Chionchio said. He was in critical condition, Chionchio said.

Rybinski said as she noticed the flames, a few neighbors walked up the street asking if anyone had grabbed the resident inside yet. 

"The house was all dark. I didn't think anybody was inside," Rybinski said.

She said the neighbors started banging on the door and went around back to go inside. Rybinski, a resident of about 37 years, said she called 911 and stayed on the line until crews came.

As she was watching, she saw flames blaze from the roof and out the sides. Mini explosions could be heard popping inside the house, Rybinski said. 

"Those guys dragged him out and laid him on the curb as the trucks arrived. He was making loud, almost snoring noises," she said. "They said he was wedged against the door when they found him in the house."

Aetna Hose Hook and Ladder Chief Andrew Bowerson said there were hoarding conditions throughout the house. 

State fire investigators are at the scene searching for the fire's origin and cause, Chionchio said.