2 Critically Injured in House Fire

Firefighters from three departments responded to a report of a fire in the 300 block of North Farmer Drive at about 4:30 a.m. Monday.

Charles Thompson, 45, and Gloria De la Cruz, 66, were taken to Johnston Memorial Hospital and were then airlifted to the Jayce Burn Center at the University of North Carolina Hospitals in Chapel Hill for treatment, authorities said.

They were listed in critical condition Tuesday.

Firefighters had the fire under control by 5:30 a.m., but the home was destroyed, authorities said.

The fire is considered accidental. Investigators said it likely started in a wood stove.