Pa. couple remains hospitalized after fire

WEST MIDDLESEX, Pa. -- John and Shirley Pollock remained hospitalized late Friday with injuries suffered in an early-morning fire at their home at 18 Old Bedford Road.
The blaze killed their son, Mark, 46, a Shenango Township volunteer firefighter, who lived with them. He died accidentally due to carbon monoxide poisoning from the fire, according to Mercer County Coroner J. Bradley McGonigle III.
The Pollocks, both 74, suffered burns and smoke inhalation.
Shirley was in critical condition in the burn unit at Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh, and John was in serious condition in the burn unit at Akron Children's Hospital.
Robert Ryhal, a Pennsylvania State Police fire marshal, said smoking may have been the cause of the fire, which was discovered by a neighbor around 1:40 a.m.
The blaze started in a chair in a basement recreation room, he said.
Ryhal said the Pollocks suffered their burns when they opened the front door to escape, causing a backdraft that quickly fueled the smoldering fire.
All three were found just inside the front door, he said.
The house had no smoke detectors.