VIDEO: Firefighter knocked to ground battling house fire in southeast Houston

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A firefighter was caught on Skyeye HD being knocked to the ground while tackling a house fire in southeast Houston.

The fire is believed to have been smoldering before it finally erupted into flames that shot through windows and the roof of the small home. The family wasn't home at the time. Neighbors called the fire department.

"We were just right here and I called my mom," said neighbor Franciso Peneda. "She quickly ran out and tried to start helping, but there was nothing you could do."

The fire trucks arrived and three firefighters broke through the front door. The first one through was Gabriel Salazar. He was suddenly separated from those behind him when the door slammed.

HFD Deputy Chief Herman Gonzales explained, "So the other guys immediately opened the door and pulled him out cause he was taking some heat."

SkyEye HD was overhead when Salazar was pulled from the house, just before he really started feeling the heat through his protective suit. As soon as he was out, Salazar and fellow firefighters went back into the smoke and flames to at least bring it under control and finally put it out.

The family who owned the home has been here for 16 years. Rebuilding their lives will be difficult as there's no insurance to cover the loss.