Early Sunday, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue units responded to 4919 84th Street in Progress Village for a house fire.
At the time of the fire, Hillard Wilkerson and his wife were inside sleeping.
The couple said their smoke alarm alerted them to the fire, and they left the residence, calling 9-1-1.
Firefighters at the scene reported that they found heavy black smoke and fire in the kitchen area. The fire was contained in a matter of minutes, and one of the Wilkersons was hospitalized for smoke inhalation.
The home suffered severe fire damage to the kitchen, and smoke damage to the rest of the residence.
The Wilkersons will be staying with relatives while their home is being repaired, and inspectors said the fire was accidental and started in the kitchen area.
Officials expressed the importance of having a functioning smoke alarm.
