One firefighter barely escaped a house fire he was fighting to try and save one man's life.

The fire in Paintsville killed 46-year-old John Meade, who was living in the home.

"It was just my turn for it to happen to," said Timothy Goble, the firefighter who survived.

The scene was what the fire chief considers intense as firefighters fought flames for one man's life and one of them for his own.

"My head was being torn between finding this guy but also trying to get out before I become another casualty before I become part of the problem rather a part of the solution," said Goble.

Unlike the man who lived in the burning home on Short Street, 24-year-old Goble made it out alive even after his mask and helmet fell off as he struggled to breathe.

"My eyes do have scratches. That's the reason I have to wear the glasses because without the glasses I can't open my eyes," said Goble.

His voice sounds a bit different and scratches and chemical burns impaired his vision leaving his left eye at only 40 percent and his right at about 60 percent.

"I know that anything can happen at any time. It's part of the job. It's a hazardous job," said Goble.

But Goble is not dwelling on his health rather the man who was not as lucky as he was.

"I do have some bad feelings like feelings against myself wishing that if we could have found him sooner and that he could have gotten himself outside that maybe we would have found him sooner, then maybe he would be alive today," said Goble.

The state fire marshal has determined the fire started in the utility room inside the home but is still investigating what started the blaze.