Man Injured In Duplex Fire

A man was injured in a fire in a duplex in Lakeland early Wednesday.

The fire at 253 Village Crest Court was reported about 2:10 a.m., said Kevin Shireman of the State Fire Marshal's Office.

Two men were home at the time. Arthur Quick, 59, the owner of the unit, woke up to heavy smoke and managed to escape through a bedroom window, Shireman said.

Norman Lynch, 51, could not find his way out, and when Polk County firefighters arrived they helped him out, Shireman said.

Lynch was taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center, where he was in stable condition Wednesday evening.

The fire started in the living room, and the damage was mostly contained to that room, Shireman said. The cause of the fire is under investigation.