Two brothers escaped a fire that broke out in their family's home Sunday morning by jumping out of the windows.
Andy Schmittling, 22, and Nick Schmittling, 18, were taken to St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Belleville for smoke inhalation. Andy Schmittling was listed in fair condition and Nick Schmittling was released.
The fire was reported about 11 a.m. at 412 S. Jackson St., said Belleville Assistant Fire Chief Mike Kern. He said the two-story house has extensive damage and the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
The family did not have renter's insurance.
Both young men were asleep at the time the fire broke out and were alerted by a neighbor next door, said their father, Randy Schmittling, who was not home at the time.
Randy Schmittling said one of his sons threw a television at the first-floor window in order to get out, and the other son jumped from a second-floor window.
"We're very lucky that our next door neighbor came and banged on their door," he said. "We're lucky that they were able to get out when they did or, I hate to say it, we might have been coming home to two bodies."
Randy Schmittling also thanked the Belleville Fire Department for their help.
"You never know how valuable your Fire Department is until something like this happens," he said. "They did a tremendous job."
Randy Schmittling and his wife, Donna, worked Sunday afternoon to sort through items they were allowed to remove from the home, before it was boarded up and locked.
The couple were able to salvage a few valuables and framed photographs from the home.
Donna Schmittling said it didn't look like they would be able to move back in to the house, and will be staying with their daughter.
"You think (a fire) could happen to everyone else, not to me," Donna Schmittling said. "We just have to start over."
Belleville Fire Department Chaplain Rev. Darrell Coons, who is also pastor of Hope Church in Belleville, said he plans set up a fund-raiser for the family.
Also during the weekend, the Fire Department responded to a house fire in the 5700 block of North Belt West about 8 p.m. Saturday.
Kern said no injuries were reported, and the house would need minor repairs. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Distributed by the Associated Press
