Burns not life-threatening for Steelers coach
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Steelers running backs coach Kirby Wilson has been hospitalized after sustaining burns to his arms and legs in a house fire early this morning. Authorities say the fire broke out around 3 a.m. in Wilson's home in Seven Fields.
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Steelers running backs coach Kirby Wilson was badly burned in a Seven Fields townhouse fire early this morning.
Firefighters went 141 Jameson Way at 2:42 a.m. and saw smoke and flames from the street. They found Mr. Wilson, 50, burned "severely," according to a written statement from Jeffrey Schueler, director of public safety in nearby Cranberry.
Mr. Wilson went first to UPMC Cranberry and then to UPMC Mercy for treatment, according to the statement, which offered no detail about his condition.
A team source said Wilson has burns on 30 percent to 50 percent of his body, and the injuries are considered serious but not life threatening. No one else was in the house, the source said.
Firefighters from Adams Area Fire District, Cranberry, Callery, Harmony, Zelienople, and South Butler extinguished the fire.
Steelers president Art Rooney II released a statement on behalf of the team.
"First and foremost our thoughts and prayers are with Kirby and his entire family," the statement reads. "We are saddened to hear about his unfortunate situation but we know that he has the best medical care in the country treating him. The entire organization is praying for Kirby to have a full recovery and we will be by his side through this difficult time."
PG VIDEOThe Steelers are set to play a first-round playoff game Sunday at Denver.
Mr. Wilson is in his fifth season as running backs coach. The team's media guide credits him as "instrumental" in running back Rashard Mendenhall's success in 2009, when he rushed for 1,108 yards with a team-high seven touchdowns on the ground.
Players learned of Mr. Wilson's injuries at 9 a.m. this morning at a team meeting.
But his running backs had an inkling something was amiss when he did not show up for an early morning film session.
"I was shocked at first because usually we meet him early in the mornings to go over a little film," Steelers running back John Clay said. "When he didn't come in the morning, we didn't know what was going on."
Isaac Redman, who will be the team's feature back this weekend, said he was caught off guard by the news.
"He's such a hard-working coach," Mr. Redman said. "He was always the first guy in the building. He was always here. He takes pride in the running backs."
First Published January 6, 2012 9:31 am
