Several Badly Burned in Morning House Fire - FOX 42: Omaha News, Sports and Weather; kptm.com |

OMAHA (KPTM) - One of five people burned in a house fire has died.

Wednesday Omaha Police say 66-year-old Marlin Gardner passed away Wednesday morning.

 He and two others, Billy Bower and Joseph Mangiamelli were hospitalized in critical condition.

The fire started shortly after 9am Tuesday at a house near 37th and Fowler.

Fire officials say six people were in the house.

Neighbor Brandon Vasta said he woke up to two loud booms this morning. "To be honest with you, I thought it was straight out of a horror movie. It was bad."

Vasta said he rushed outside after hearing the noise, and couldn't believe what he saw. "Skin was literally coming off their body."

Officials are investigating the cause of the fire, but Vasta said the word on the neighborhood street is, it could have been caused by gasoline. "From head to toe-they were burnt head to toe."