A Richmond man is in serious condition after police pulled him from a burning apartment building at 34 Main St. early Christmas morning.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office says 30- year- old Wade Welner is being treated at Maine Medical Center for smoke inhalation and is expected to survive his injuries.

The only other occupant, who heard the fire alarms, got out uninjured. The second floor of the building was destroyed.

Investigators say the fire started in Welner’s apartment but are still working to determine the cause.

Firefighters were at 12:40 a.m. and were told someone may be trapped inside. Richmond patrol officer Chris Giles and Sagadahoc County Sheriff Cpl. Ian Alexander ran into the four-unit building, found Welner in the thick smoke and pulled him to safety.

Welner was suffering from smoke inhalation and was taken to the hospital by Gardiner Fire and Rescue.

Richmond Fire Chief Matt Roberge said when he arrived, there was fire on the back, downhill side of the 2- and- a- half- story house. As the fire intensified, it worked its way forward.

The house sustained heavy damage.

Roberge called at least six other fire departments to the scene to help battle the fire. He had the trucks and equipment needed to fight the fire but then needed manpower. Volunteer firefighters came out to help.

“That’s what the job is,” he said. “We get called and we have to do what we need to do. Luckily our families understand.”

Richmond Fire Department turned the scene over to the fire marshal’s office at 5:25 a.m.