The man, identified as Brandon "Bo" Barton, ran through flames to get a 1 1/2-year-old baby out of his crib, which was in the bedroom with the candle, according to a family member. Barton then handed the baby to his mother, Summer Howard, who is Barton's girlfriend, according to the family member.
Barton then grabbed Howard's other two children, a 5-year-old boy and 7-year-old girl, and they all went outside. Barton then ran back inside the house to grab his phone to call 911, according to the family member.
CareFlight took Barton to the hospital, where he was listed in critical condition Saturday night; however a family member said a breathing tube was removed and that he is continuing to improve.
The three children were checked out at a local hospital, and all were fine.
However, the family lost everything in the fire and was not believed to have insurance, according to the family member.
FRIDAY, AUG. 15:
@ 11:20 p.m.: A candle that was tipped over may have caused the Preble County fire, the fire chief said.
@ 4:15 a.m.: A man who entered a burning home to rescue three children inside was overcome by smoke and had to be flown to the hospital, West Alexandria fire Chief Jeff Shafer said.
Two adults and three children, ages 3 to 7, were inside the home when the flames broke out, Shafer said.
The man was overcome as he entered the house the second time. His relationship to the children was not immediately clear.
"We would never suggest you go back into a burning house. But I think that's what any parent or what-have-you would do to try to save the children," Shafer said. "I give him credit for getting the kids out of the structure."
Shafer did not release any information about the man's condition.
Flames were visible when firefighters arrived. They are working to determine what caused the fire.
According to initial reports, the kids were not hurt. Three puppies were also rescued from the back porch and were not hurt.
EARLIER: Firefighters are on the scene of a reported fire in West Alexandria.
They were called out around 2:15 a.m. in the 6000 block of Ray Road.
Our crew there said smoke is visible at the residence.
A medical helicopter also responded.
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