Steelers Running Backs Coach Badly Burned in House Fire

SEVEN FIELDS, Pa. – Pittsburgh Steelers running backs coach Kirby Wilson was in a medically-induced coma Friday after being badly burned in a Pennsylvania house fire, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported.

Wilson, 50, suffered burns on 30 to 50 percent of his body after a fire broke out at his townhouse in Seven Fields, about 20 miles north of Pittsburgh.

His injuries are considered serious, but not life-threatening, a team source told the Post-Gazette.

No one else was in the home when the fire broke out just before 3:00am local time, the source said.

"Upon arrival, we had heavy smoke coming from the first division of the house," Adams Area Fire Chief Bill Hayes told WTAE-TV. "No flames were visible at this time. The occupant of the house was located at the doorway."

A neighbor, who reported smelling smoke before seeing Wilson's kitchen on fire, called 911 and started banging on the coach's door. Wilson, wearing boxer shorts, reportedly emerged about five minutes later.

"He was real delirious," Dave Vanatta told WPXI-TV. "He didn't know what was going on. He kept saying, 'I'm alright. Thank you. Thank you.' You could tell he wasn't alright."

"His arms and legs were pitch black," added neighbor Dave Sebasta.

The cause of the fire was still under investigation. Hayes told WTAE most of the fire damage was in the kitchen area, while other parts of the house sustained smoke damage.

Steelers president Art Rooney II issued a statement Friday saying the organization's "thoughts and prayers are with Kirby and his entire family."

"We are saddened to hear about this unfortunate situation but we know that he has the best medical care in the country treating him," he said. "The entire organization is praying for Kirby to have a full recovery and we will be by his side through this difficult time."

Wilson, who is in his fifth season with the Steelers, had been preparing for Sunday's first-round playoff game against the Broncos. He will not travel with the team to Denver, according to multiple reports.