A man was saved by police officers who rushed into his burning home to pull him from the blaze Thursday evening.

The victim, James David Linder, 60, of Crestlawn Avenue was airlifted for treatment of serious burns at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He reportedly suffered burns, some third degree, to his chest, face and neck.

Lawmen arrived to the fire call ahead of fire units just before 6 p.m. Thursday. They were informed by neighbors at the housing project that they had tried to get into Linder’s duplex to save him but were unable to get in. That’s when Officer Andy Snow kicked open the door and Sgt. Lance Dillard and Officer Tyler Patterson rushed inside to find Linder collapsed in the hallway. It was later learned the victim had been lying on the living room couch where the fire began, his proximity to the blaze accounting for his serious burns.