LAKEWOOD, Pierce County (AP) — Neighbors say the older couple killed in an apartment fire in Washington were a woman who was ill and her husband, who originally escaped the flames but went back in to save her.

The blaze happened about 1 a.m. Wednesday in Lakewood.

Neighbors say the woman had been sick and was unable to move around. They told reporters at the scene the man had escaped the flames but went back inside.

West Pierce Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Hallie McCurdy says arriving firefighters quickly knocked down the flames and found the bodies.

McCurdy says the fire started in the apartment’s living room but the exact cause hasn’t been determined.

The Red Cross is helping a half-dozen residents in other apartments that had smoke damage.