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7/7/2009 3:32 AM

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By Kathie O. Warco, Staff writer

kwarco@observer-reporter.com

Eric Williams said he is alive today thanks to the pair of Charles Barkley-branded Nike tennis shoes he was wearing when fire swept through his home in Chartiers Township's Midland section early Sunday.

Williams said he had fallen asleep on the couch in the living room of his home at 633 Railroad St. He had had a few friends over for the holiday, but they had all left. His girlfriend, Joette Doty, and a cousin, Lou Williams, came home later.

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"I had one foot on the floor and one on the arm rest of the couch," Williams said. "The foot that was on the arm rest got really, really hot. I put my foot on the floor and sat up.

"It was really hot, so I went to turn on the air conditioner," he added. "I could tell there was smoke. I looked around and saw an orange glow. Then I started screaming the house was on fire."

His cousin, who also had fallen asleep in the living room, started to run out of the house but stumbled. Eric Williams grabbed him and got him out of the house. He then went around back and started banging on the window to wake up Doty. He helped her out the window.

"By the time we got her out and ran back to the front of the house, I heard a 'poof' and the ceiling falling in the living room," Williams said. "Another minute or two, and the ceiling would have been on top of us."

Doty suffered some bumps and bruises. Lou Williams was being treated at Canonsburg General Hospital for smoke inhalation.

Chartiers fire Chief Vince Altieri said the one-story home was engulfed in flames when firefighters got the call just before 4 a.m. Firefighters, who were at the home for about three hours, were assisted by Houston firefighters. South Strabane Township firefighters were on standby.

Trooper Shaun Marshall, the state police fire marshal investigating the cause, said the fire started in the attached garage and spread to the house. Because of the extensive damage, he has not been able to determine a cause but does not consider the fire suspicious. He is continuing his investigation.

Williams said the house was old with knob and tube wiring.

"The wiring probably gave way," he said.

The American Red Cross is assisting Williams.

"We lost everything we have," Williams said. "But I'll treasure those shoes. They heated up but never melted. Those shoes saved our lives."

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