Family: Space heater starts fire in Jacksonville home

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The actions of a neighbor saved a couple from their burning home overnight in Jacksonville.

A space heater reportedly caused a fire overnight at a home in Jacksonville, according to the family.

The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department responded to the fire on Bluebird Road, in the Picketville area.

A neighbor saved an elderly couple from the burning home.

“First time in my life I've ever had to do something like this,” said the neighbor, Timmy Crews.

Crews woke up and saw the fire from across the street.

“I got scared or whatever. I opened the back door and flames shot out the back door over my head,” said Crews.

Crews went inside looking for Harrell and Wanda Rowland and found Harrell on the back steps. The smoke and flames had overwhelmed Harrell Rowland and he couldn't get to his wife.

“The old man, I got him out first,” Crews said. “I went back in the bedroom and got her out.”

The couple were taken to UF Health Jacksonville for treatment of smoke inhalation. UF Health Jacksonville said they are in fair condition.

“I’m heartbroken, because they’ve lost everything,” said family member Toni Simonton.

The home was destroyed by the fire and practically everything the couple owned is gone.

Cox Media Group