EAST HARTFORD -- Three families are alive after an early morning fire in East Hartford, and police said it is all thanks to a good Samaritan.
The fire broke out on the second floor of a three-floor, three-family home.
Police said the second floor was fully engulfed when they arrived but that everyone made it out safely.
A man who lives further down the road told police he came outside to smoke a cigarette, and saw a flicker of light down the street.
The man decided to walk down to get a closer look, and when he got to 72 Chapel Street, he quickly sprang into action.
Police said he ran up to the home, banged on the door, even went inside, and at one point, grabbed a garden hose to try to extinguish the flames.
Police said if it the good Samaritan had not been there, things could have been a lot worse.
That man ended up being treated on scene for smoke inhalation.
State police and local fire marshals are working to determine what sparked this fire.