Nov. 12--BUTLER TWP, OH-- "It's very emotional. This family was beloved in the community ... to have it end in such a tragic way, it's gut-wrenching," neighbor Roni Seale said.

A man in his 70s was killed Saturday night after he was trapped inside his burning home in the 500 block of Little York Road. The fire injured his wife.

Officials said no further information, including the couple's names, would be released until Monday.

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Seale said she was home around 10:30 p.m. Saturday wrapping up what had been a relaxing evening watching a movie, eating apple pie.

"Then we hear the most horrific bang on the back door," she said. "There she was, just covered in soot and saying, 'My house is on fire. Call 911! My husband's inside, I can't get him out.'"

Seale said her stepfather went through the back door and tried to follow the man's voice inside, but he couldn't see and was gasping for air. He had to stop the woman from going back in again.

Just before firefighters arrived, a police officer went inside with his flashlight, but he, too, couldn't get to the man. "They had to pat him down to put out the embers on him when he came out," Seale said.

The fire already was raging when crews arrived.

"We were unable to get inside the house due to the nature of the fire and how involved it was by the time the crews arrived," Butler Twp. Fire Chief Dan Alig said.

Seale said the man had trouble walking and it was her understanding he fell as they were trying to get out. Then, his wife couldn't lift him.

The woman was taken to Miami Valley Hospital, where she was treated for smoke inhalation injuries.

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