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Ex-Illini Wilson Still In Critical Condition After House Fire

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Former Illini player and current Steelers assistant coach Kirby Wilson remains in critical condition with burns on more than 45 percent of his body.

The Steelers released a statement from Wilson's family on Tuesday saying the 50-year-old also suffered a smoke inhalation injury during the Jan. 6 fire at his townhouse in a northern Pittsburgh suburb.

Authorities say the fire broke out around 3 a.m. in the kitchen of Wilson's home in Seven Fields, about 30 minutes north of the city. Flames were visible to firefighters when they arrived on the scene. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Wilson, in his fifth season with the Steelers, was airlifted to UPMC Mercy hospital, where he remains in the Trauma Burn Unit.

The assistant coach was a candidate to become Illinois' new head coach after Ron Zook was fired in November.

Copyright 2012 by STATS LLC and The Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and The Associated Press is strictly prohibited.

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