DECATUR, Ala. (WHNT) – A fire inside a home in southwest Decatur sent a family scrambling for their lives and left the house with significant damage Sunday afternoon.

Firefighters were called to the scene at 602 Ashley Drive SW at around 2:00 pm. When crews arrived they found smoke and flames coming from the roof. Firefighters quickly knocked down the flames. Our crew on the scene reports severe smoke, fire and water damage to the home.

The resident, Larry Wesley Jr., says he opened the door to the laundry room after family members told him they smelled smoke. He says the flames literally jumped out at him. Wesley says he tried to beat the fire back with a small fire extinguisher but nearly lost consciousness in the hot smoke. He was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation but did not require transport to the hospital.

Wesley and his family moved to Decatur after losing their home and many belongings to Hurricane Katrina. He says he fears the keepsakes he was able to save from their New Orleans home have been lost in the fire.