Illinois couple pulls neighbor from burning home

August 3, 2013 (ALTON, Ill.) -- A southwestern Illinois couple is winning praise for rescuing an 82-year-old woman from her burning home.

The (Alton) Telegraph reports 31-year-old Tiffany Wade was taking out the trash Friday morning when she smelled smoke and realized her neighbor's house was on fire.

Authorities say victim Minnie Hutchinson of Alton had been cooking when a fire broke out. She made it to her enclosed front porch before collapsing.

Wade says when she saw the smoke she called 911. She then woke her husband, Jerome Clark, and ran to the house.

Finding the door locked, Clark says he threw a brick through a porch window to get it open. They then pulled Hutchinson to safety.

Alton Fire Chief Bernie Sebold calls the rescuers "hometown heroes."

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