Firefighters from Blue Earth and Winnebago fire departments were on hand for a house fire at 428 N. Moore in Blue Earth on Wednesday morning. Neighbors helped pull one man out of the house before rescue personnel got to the scene.

Neighbors usually help their neighbors out, but in the case of a house fire in Blue Earth on Wednesday morning, neighbors literally helped a neighbor out to the point of saving his life.

A 10-year-old Blue Earth Area student, Nicasio Gunhammer, was on his way to school Wednesday morning when he heard the smoke alarms going off in the house at 428 N. Moore St.

He ran back to his own home, across the street, and alerted his mother and stepfather. His mother dialed 911 while his stepfather checked out the smoking house and heard noise inside.

“He broke in the front door, went into the smoke and dragged the occupant outside,” says Blue Earth Fire Department Chief Roger Davis. “It was pretty hectic when we arrived. Smoke was billowing out all the windows and several neighbors were helping give assistance to Frank.”

That was Francisco “Frank” Salas. Davis says Salas suffered burns to his hands, head and other parts of his body and suffered deep smoke inhalation. He was taken by ambulance to United Hospital in Blue Earth and later airlifted out. There was no further update on his condition when this issue of the Faribault County Register went to press.

The fire department put the fire out, but there was extensive heat and smoke damage in the entire house, Davis says. It is suspected the fire started in a bedroom, but the fire marshal, who was in town Wednesday afternoon, had not yet made a determination of the cause at this time.

“Frank’s daughter, who lives there, had left for work at 7:15 and everything was fine,” Davis says. “But at 8 a.m., when the call came in, the house was on fire with heavy smoke.”

Lost in the fire was the family pet dog.

“I’ve known Frank for years,” Davis says. “He is a friendly, super great guy and is always outside and waving and smiling to everyone. He was like the neighborhood handyman, always helping out.”

On Wednesday morning, his neighbors returned the favor and helped him out.