NATCHEZ — A Natchez firefighter injured Saturday while fighting a house fire is home recovering.

Natchez Fire Chief Oliver Stewart said Guy Tuccio has been released from the hospital, and his injuries downgraded from third-degree burns to second-degree.

Tuccio’s hands and back were burned while fighting a Mazique Lane house fire. Stewart said Tuccio’s injuries occurred when the firefighter placed his hands on a sofa that had plastic on it and the plastic melted to his gloves, burning his hands.

Stewart said he was not exactly sure how Tuccio’s back was burned but said it happened while Tuccio was crawling through the house.

Tuccio was taken to Natchez Community Hospital then transferred to Central Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, Stewart said. No one was in the house when firefighters arrived.