A man was injured while rescuing his young son as a two-story residence caught fire this morning in McCully, officials said.

Billowing black smoke and flames could be seen coming from the second-floor of the wooden building on Makahiki Way at about 9:22 a.m. when the fire was reported. Firefighters had the fire under control at 9:49 a.m. and extinguished at 11:30 a.m.

Fire Department spokesman Capt. Terry Seelig said an ambulance took two people to the hospital. The father suffered a gash to his right arm. His son, who did not appear to have any injuries, went to the hospital to be evaluated.

Neighbors said they believe the man was cut by glass while trying to save his son. 

Mike Mafnas, who lives in the unit next door, said he used a leather belt as a tourniquet on his neighbor’s arm to stop the bleeding. "He was bleeding like crazy," Mafnas said as he stood outside the building with other residents as firefighters mopped up after the blaze.

Fourteen people live in the building. There are three one-bedroom units on each floor. Twelve residents were home at the time of the fire. All except for the man escaped without injuries., according to Seelig.

The American Red Cross is assisting the families.

Damage to the building and its contents was estimated at $300,000.  Radiated heat damage to three surrounding buildings was estimated at $35,000. 

The cause of the fire is under investigation.