09/05/2008

Associated Press

A couple was trapped upstairs when a van plowed into their home, demolishing the staircase.

Now, Sladan and Brandy Stanisic may have to look for a new place to live after officials deemed the house unsafe.

"The second story has been separated from the roof tresses," said Jason Lemons, operations chief for the Westfield Fire Department.

Authorities said the accident occurred shortly before 2 p.m. Thursday, when a Cicero woman passed out while driving on Indiana 32 in Westfield, about 19 miles north of Indianapolis. The van left the right side of the road and tore through a fence and two back yards before crashing into the house, said Fire Chief Todd Burtron. The woman, who was unconscious when rescuers arrived, was treated at a hospital and released.

"It sounded like a bomb went off," said Sladan Stanisic, who was upstairs with his wife when the van hit the house.

"It got extremely loud. The whole house shook," said Brandy Stanisic.

Her husband added, "I tried to get on the stairs and there were no stairs."

The homeowners were stuck upstairs until a neighbor brought them a ladder so they could climb out their bedroom window.

Firefighters said the accident could have seriously injured several people.

"The kids weren't home so they're OK. It's just a house and everyone is safe," Brandy Stanisic said.

Firefighters had to set up support beams before they could tow the van out of the house.

The family said they will have to contact their insurance company before they decide what will happen to the house.