Erie firefighters battled a house fire on the city's west side Saturday.

One occupant of the house suffered burns and a firefighter was hurt while fighting the flames.

Erie firefighters responded to 803 West 21st Street, just after noon.

It's a multi-unit apartment house.

Chief Fire Inspector Don Sauer said fire broke out in the front first floor apartment, where a man in his 60's and his girl friend were at home. 

Sauer said the couple apparently attempted to put out the fire themselves, before it spread to the second floor and an attic crawl space.

The man suffered first degree burns to his shoulder and hands.  Rescuers took him to UPMC Hamot for treatment of his burns.

An upstairs occupant wasn't home when the fire broke out. 

One fire suffered hand and wrist injuries and was treated and released from the hospital.

It took firefighters an hour just to get the fire under control.  They were on the scene for two more hours overhauling and putting out hot spots.

No word yet what started the fire.