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Gabriel Falcon

AC360° Writer

An elderly couple was rescued Monday after being trapped for possibly weeks under mountains of debris in their apartment, Chicago authorities said.

The husband and wife, who are believed to be in their 70s, are both listed in serious condition at an area hospital, Larry Langford, Director of Media Affairs for the Chicago Fire Department told CNN.

According to Langford, rodents had attacked the couple who could not free themselves from the litter and clutter that rendered them immobile.

"They were in it," Langford said. "I'm not sure how they got in it, they were in it, and they couldn't get up and get out."

Langford described the debris in the apartment as "front to back, floor to ceiling."

The victims were found after a well check on the residence, authorities said.

Robert Perez, public information officer for the Chicago Police said the couple hadn't been seen for a couple of weeks.

Perez told CNN that fire fighters had to break down the door to gain entry into the apartment.

"When they got in there, it was just debris everywhere," Perez said,"sort of like a hoarder, that was the term that was being used."

The husband and wife were unconscious but alive, he added.

"Apparently they had been there a while," Langford said. "It's kind of an unbelievable sight. They've been in there for a long time and there's just a lot of stuff in there."

Authorities would not disclose the identity of the couple.