"He was on his way out. The signal had already been given to evacuate the house," Huntsville Fire's public information officer Jay Gates said.
The evacuation call came just minutes after firefighters raced into the burning home. But dangerous ground quickly forced them to turn around. When the first floor collapsed, a firefighter's quick reaction probably saved another's life.
"The floor fell in and one of our guys fell through the floor," Gates explained. "A captain was right behind him and grabbed him by his straps - air pack straps...But when he fell though it pulled his air mask off."
Michael Bryant only suffered minor injuries. Oxygen administered on the scene helped him recover after suffering from smoke inhalation. While EMTs helped Bryant to Huntsville Hospital, neighbors watched in awe.
"What we seen was a big blaze come out the door," Ricky Lynch described.
Lynch knew no one was living in the house. He also knew to call his friends who own it.
"My [old] neighbors called about 6am and said my house was on fire," Ryan Rorick said.
Flames tore through the entire home. Thankfully, Rorick and his family moved out last March. But as for the sale of their old home: what was almost a done deal will now be more than a tough sell.
Rorick said with a sigh, "I'm just glad my family's ok. But I really wish this hadn't happened."
The Rorick's were expected to close on the house this week. Huntsville Fire tells WAFF 48 News that the arson squad has been called in to investigate what may have sparked the fire.
This story was reprinted with permission of WAFF news.
