A Haltom City resident narrowly escaped an early morning house fire on Monday thanks to a neighbor who rushed to his cries for help. [[334051281,C]]
Haltom City firefighters said they were called out at about 3:40 a.m. to the 3100 block of Field Street.
Ely Douglas, who is in his 80s, has lived in the house for decades. His wife June died in a car accident last year and he was living at home by himself. He may only be in such good condition thanks neighbor Robert Aldona.
"A couple of yells woke me up,” Aldona said.
Aldona said he didn't didn’t think much of it at first, until his wife woke him up again and he looked outside. He realized it was a fire and immediately raced over to his neighbor’s home.
"I saw the neighbor’s yard was really bright," Aldona said. “He was at his window next to the garage. I busted the window open and pulled him out."
Aldona suffered a few cuts on his hands in the process of breaking the glass, but ultimately saved the Douglas family from more heartbreak.
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Douglas' granddaughter Mandie was notified at 4:30 a.m. about the fire and was among the family at the house looking at what was left.
“I grew up in the house right next to him until was 6,” she said. “Always coming over and spending time with him.”
Mandie said her grandfather was taken to Parkland Memorial Hospital where he was in the intensive care unit with lung issues, likely caused by smoke inhalation, but that he was up and writing notes to his children.
“It could have been worse, but thankfully the Lord was with him and a good Samaritan pulled him through,” said Mandie Douglas.
Haltom City Fire expects to have an official cause later in the week. The house is likely totally destroyed, officials said.
NBC 5's Todd L. Davis contributed to this report.
