Woman in Critical Condition After Being Pulled from Burning House

Clawson police and fire officials are investigating a house fire on Tuesday morning that left a 48-year-old woman in critical condition.

Police say when they arrived at the residence, in the 600 block of Goodale Avenue, the woman, identified as Renee Shawky, was lying unconscious near the side of the home. A 57-year-old Detroit man, who was temporarily living with Shawky, pulled her from the home and called police, reports said. Thomas Marshall said he left the house earlier that morning and returned around 9:30 a.m. and discovered the house was full of smoke. Marshall told police he had to push the door open because the woman was pressed up against it.

Officers say Shawky was gasping for air and had burns on her face when they moved her body to the front of a neighboring home. Clawson Detective Lt. Scott Sarvello said she was transported to William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak and then to Detroit Receiving Hospital, where she remained in critical condition Wednesday evening.

Officials have not yet determined a cause of the fire, but Sarvello said it appeared a cigarette may have been a factor.

"The home is in poor shape," Sarvello said, adding that there was severe heat and fire damage.