NATCHEZ — Natchez firefighters rescued a man from his State Street residence Sunday morning before flames destroyed the house.

“He was a very lucky man,” Natchez Fire Department Battalion Chief Leland Rymer said.

Six to eight firefighters entered the house at approximately 6:45 a.m. and found resident Eric Barbato and Barbato’s dog on the floor of a room toward the back of the house.

Barbato, 46, suffered smoke inhalation and second-degree burns. He was transported to Natchez Regional Medical Center and later brought to a burn center in Brandon, Natchez Fire Marshal Aaron Wesley said.

Barbato’s dog was also pulled out of the burning house, Rymer said.

According to Rymer, Barbato was responsive on the scene and able to talk.

Wesley said the state fire marshal is investigating the scene, which is routine procedure in cases when fires result in injury. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, Wesley said. Wesley said investigators believe the fire started in the front room or den.

The flames also damaged the adjacent house, at 817 State St.

Mary Dooley, a tenant at 817 State St., said the glow of the flames woke up her and her husband, Michael, just before 7 a.m. Nearly simultaneously, the smoke alarm sounded in their house, they said.

The couple immediately called 911, grabbed a few valuables and got out of the house, Mary said. An NFD fire captain also dialed dispatch around the same time, when he saw the smoke rising from the house when returning from a separate call, Rymer said.

Beth DeAngelis, the owner of 817 State St., said the house received major water damage and fire damage to the roof.

The house from where Barbato was pulled still stood Sunday afternoon, but the structure was black and burned.

Mary said the Red Cross arrived at the scene with supplies for the Dooleys and gave them vouchers for a place to stay temporarily.

Michael said as they woke up, a passer-by tried to warn them by banging on the windows to make sure they were awake.

“We have great neighbors,” Mary said.

Rymer said the extent of the fire and the manner in which is spread through the house made the rescue a fortunate success.

“You don’t see too many people survive that extent of damage,” Rymer said.