Omaha man in critical condition after escaping house fire

OMAHA, Neb. (KLKN) – An Omaha man is hospitalized in critical condition after escaping a house fire in central Omaha.

Firefighters responded to a call around 4:30 a.m. Sunday near 85th and Cass Streets, officials said.

Upon arrival, firefighters found the house fully engulfed in flames and the occupant, a man in his 80s, outside covered in soot.

Neighbors said that the fire spread from a tree to the entire house within minutes.

According to investigators, the home did not have smoke detectors and is a total loss.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. Officials have not released the man’s name or updated his medical condition.