Neighbor saves man from burning apartment building in Kennett, Mo.

KENNETT, Mo. -- Authorities say an alert neighbor reacted selflessly in a life-threatening situation, saving a man from a burning apartment before calling 911 on Tuesday.

According to the Kennett Fire Department, firefighters responded to a structure fire at 963 Floyd Court at 11:03 a.m. Tuesday.

Merrill Coleman, who lived near the burning apartment, was listening to music when he heard an explosion.

According to the report, Coleman went outside and noticed the front living room window of the next door apartment had blown out from a fire inside the residence. Coleman said he saw Lafayette Ellis in his bed through the bedroom window. Coleman immediately pulled Ellis through the bedroom window to safety, then called 911, according to the fire report.

Kennett firefighters saw moderate smoke through the front window and found that the fire started on the couch in the living room, according to the report. The cause of the fire was determined to be cigarette smoking.

The fire was out by 11:55 a.m., and the extent of damage to the apartment was heavy, according to the report. Ellis suffered some smoke inhalation but had no serious injuries.

Pertinent address:

963 Lloyd Court, Kennett, Mo.