A fire in Syracuse left two families without a home and sent a firefighter to the hospital. The fire broke out at 1318 Bellevue Avenue around 5:30 p.m. Thursday. As our Katie Gibas reports, firefighters said it was a tough fire to fight.

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Ethel Hanks and her fiance were driving home when they saw the smoke.

“I’ve seen the flames and me and my fiance are like, there’s fire. We’re thinking, ‘Where is it? I hope everybody’s all right.’ And then I get a phone call that it’s my house. I still can’t believe it,” said Ethel Hanks, one of the homeowners.

Around 5:30 Thursday afternoon, several children in the neighborhood saw the flames at 1318 Bellevue Avenue and called 911.

“I just went out and then I just saw the house on fire with big flames and stuff, and I was just panicked,” said Tyson Grant, a Syracuse resident.

Firefighters initially fought the fire from the inside, but the chief pulled people out as flames got worse. Once they got the fire under control, crews were able to re-enter the house.

“It’s serious. The bulk of the fire at this time of the day was surprising. The entire back of the house, two porches and all the siding at the rear of the house was fully involved and it was extending into the structure itself, so we had our handful initially. It was a tough fire," said Syracuse Deputy Fire Chief Charlie Duffy.

Hanks, her fiance and two children share the two family home with another couple and child. None of the residents were injured. But a firefighter was transported to the hospital for a heat related illness. He’s expected to fully recover.

“I’m just thankful that none of my kids were in there and no one else was in there. I’m sad that the fireman got hurt. He’s putting his life on the line. I want to thank them for working hard to make sure the flames are out and that everybody got out safety. I know they worked hard to try to get to the back porch to try to get to the dog. I just want to thank every since one of them,” said Hanks.

Ethel and her family did lose their dog, Paris, in the fire.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

The Red Cross was on scene to help provide the families with shelter, food and clothing.