CENTENNIAL, Colo. -- Fire engulfed a home on South Krameria Way near County Line Road just before noon Thanksgiving day, injuring a man inside.

"I was cooking in the kitchen when my phone rang," said neighbor Liz Landert. "It was my daughter. She said, 'Are you OK? Is your house on fire?' I said, 'No.' She said, 'Something is on fire by your house. It's got to be by your house.'"

Landert went outside and saw the flames next door.

"Al was running up and down the street and there were flames shooting out of his garage. It was just black, black smoke coming up from the house," Landert said.

The plumes of smoke could be seen miles away.

When firefighters arrived, the house was fully engulfed.

"There was so much fire the first crew couldn't make it inside, so they pulled a second line and went into a defensive attack," said EMS Bureau Chief Robert Smith of the South Metro Fire Department.

Defensive mode means they fight the fire from the outside, using an aerial truck.

The homeowner, Al Wallace, suffered burns to his hands and face.

"We just saw him for a few minutes," said neighbor Joe Gugliardo. "He came running out of the house, came over to our yard and sat down. A couple of rescue crew members were working with him."

Wallace was transported to University Hospital, where he's listed in fair condition.

"I feel so bad for him," Landert said. "He is a good Christian man. Giving, loving, everything. I feel so horrible that this has happened. I hope the community will come out and help him."

Investigators said the blaze apparently broke out in the basement. They're looking into reports that it started with the hot water heater.

The flames quickly burned through the main and upper floors, then through the roof.

Several neighbors were asked to leave their homes temporarily during the blaze. Fire crews said there was a propane tank in Wallace's garage and they were worried that it might explode.

Once the blaze was brought under control, the neighbors were allowed back in their homes.

"It's Thanksgiving, and that's one thing you don't want happening," said neighbor Sasha Meitler. "Because you want to spend the time with your family. But I'm praying for him because I hope he will be OK."