HUDSON — Firefighters rescued a man from a fire in his School Street apartment Monday morning.

A neighbor reported a possible structure fire at 6 School Street at 8:37 a.m., according to Fire Chief Shawn Murray. The residence is within walking distance of the Central Fire Station.

Donald Nolan, who lives in apartment 3, heard the smoke detector go off in the neighboring apartment and reportedly saw smoke coming from apartment 4, occupied by Thomas Pelletier. Nolan banged on the door to alert Pelletier and called 911, according to Hudson fire officials.

Smoke was visible when the first unit arrived at the scene, Murray said. Firefighters found a stove fire in a second floor apartment. Pelletier was home at the time.

Capt. Kevin Grebinar, Capt. Stephen Gannon, and firefighter Leslie Scott helped Pelletier out of the building after forcing the door to the apartment open. Light smoke was in the room, Gannon said.

“We were able to see him as soon as we got the door open,” Gannon said.

Gannon helped Pelletier to the door and Grebinar helped lead him through the narrow hallway to the stairs. Scott helped Pelletier to the first floor.

“They did a great job of getting him out of the apartment,” said Dep. Fire Chief John O'Brien.

Pelletier was conscious and alert when he was taken to Southern New Hampshire Medical Center for possible smoke inhalation, Murray said.

Firefighters ran hoses up to the second floor and quickly extinguished the flames.

The apartment had slight water, fire, and smoke damage. The smoke detector in the apartment was working, Murray said. The building also had detectors in the hallway and carbon monoxide detectors throughout.

The fire cause is under investigation but cooking is a likely cause, Murray said. The incident is not considered suspicious.

jhanson@newstote.com