A fund has been started to benefit a city firefighter who was critically injured Monday while trying to save two people trapped inside a burning home.

The city firefighters union, Local 319, has set up the fund for Lt. Andre Kelley.

Donations can be sent to: Andre Kelley Fund, P.O. Box 1235, Lancaster, PA 17608. Checks should be made out to the Andre Kelley Fund.

Kelley became trapped after entering a burning house at 225 E. Madison St. while trying to rescue Pauline Stone, 38, and the child she was baby-sitting, Leilani Roman, 6. Both perished in the fire.

Kelley is recuperating at Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Upland, Delaware County.

Kelley suffered burns over 40 percent of his body, a family member said Tuesday. He is expected to be in the hospital for several months.

The son of retired city firefighter Marvin Kelley, Kelley has been a firefighter for a dozen years. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Lyondra, and the couple has two children.

Kelley and Firefighter Tom Bender were injured during what was believed to be a "flashover," when everything in an area reaches its combustion point and explodes into flames.

When that happened, Bender jumped out of a second-story window and was injured. Firefighter Craig Robertson also was injured while fighting the fire.

The Ladies Auxiliary of the union is overseeing efforts to support Bender and Robertson, according to a post on the union's Facebook page.

The investigation into the cause of the fire is continuing.

cstauffer@lnpnews.com