The couple, in their seventies, were found on Monday night, said Larry Langford, a fire department spokesman. The team forced in the door of the South Side home and found an overpowering smell, piles of food waste and trash.

Margo Brooks, a spokesman for Jackson Park Hospital, said the two were admitted and remained in critical condition.

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Police had initially been called to the apartment building by neighbours who had not seen the couple in some time and wondered about their welfare. Police called in the fire department because of the stench and the team that entered wore hazardous materials suits.

An 83-year-old neighbour, Hattie Fields, said the couple had lived in the building for years. Police declined to identify the couple.  (Read More).