A 65-year-old Ottawa man is recovering in hospital from second-degree burns, smoke inhalation and possible fractured ribs after his house caught fire early Thursday morning.

Just before 4:30 a.m., firefighters received a call from a female resident in a neighbouring home who said the two-storey farmhouse at 8531 Mitch Owens Rd. in southeast Ottawa was ablaze.

Fire services spokesman, Marc Messier, said the woman’s husband got dressed, ran next door and forced his way inside the burning home.

He found homeowner, Don Bickerton, inside.

"He didn’t have to go very far inside before a man grabbed his leg and the neighbour dragged him outside," Messier said. "The neighbour was there tending to him when fire fighters arrived."

Due to the serious injuries sustained by the sole occupant of the home, the fire marshal is currently investigating. The man is listed in stable condition.

"We had heavy flames and smoke coming out every opening of the home," said Messier.

The cause of the fire is still unknown.