OMAHA, Neb. --
A family inside a burning house Monday had to be dragged out by bystanders, creating confusion among those who were willing to help.
The bystanders, Raymond Hill and a construction worker, spotted smoke coming out of the top of the house near 38th and Corby streets.
A language barrier confounded the confusion. A Sudanese family lived inside with six children. Hill and the worker knocked, but the family wouldn't exit. The two went inside.
"I don't know if they were exhausted. I don't know if they were afraid, or what," Hill said.
One man who lived inside the house was arrested after he became belligerent, police said. The language barrier made it difficult to determine what was bothering the man, police said.
A family member told KETV they were reluctant to leave the house when they saw two strangers at their door. The family member said they didn't know the house was on fire.
The house was filled with smoke when Hill went inside. Firefighters said the fire likely started in a bedroom.
The family's landlord will house them for the night in one of his nearby houses. The Red Cross will provide the family food and clothing vouchers.
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