South Bend man hospitalized after kitchen fire

 SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- A 67-year-old man was rushed to Memorial Hospital after his kitchen caught fire.

The elderly man was treated for smoke inhalation, as well as minor burns to one of his hands. The fire happened at 1949 East Calvert Street, near the corner of Ironwood Drive in South Bend. The man lives in the upstairs unit of the home, while another family occupies the downstairs unit.

A woman, her newborn and toddler live in the downstairs unit and were home at the time. Firefighters say the family was able to get out safely.



Fire investigators say this was most likely a cooking fire. The man told firefighters he turned away from the Stove and when he looked back, the pan was on fire.  The fire quickly spread across the second floor. Neighbors say they could see flames shooting out the windows on both ends of the house.

One neighbor was walking his dog with his wife when he the saw smoke and quickly rushed over to help. "A lot of smoke, a whole bunch, as far as the smoke. When they started

going in, the flames got big and the flames actually shot up as high as

the tree over beside the house," said Hooker. 

Fire investigators said they will resume the investigation Tuesday morning. Firefighters are still trying to determine how the fire spread so rapidly.