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RACINE- Heroes helped rescue a man from a balcony on his burning home. 

The Racine Fire Department said the house is a total loss, but one thing neighbors were able to save is their neighbor.

Pictures from the Racine Journal Times help explain the heroics of Pete Lui's neighbors.

A fire broke out at his house Tuesday afternoon, but Lui is partially paralyzed from a stroke and could not get off the balcony.

Sabrina and Edwardo Martinez immediately jumped into action.

"We saw him on the porch and we knew he needed help," said next door neighbor Sabrina Martinez.  "My husband went to the basement and got the ladder, but it didn't reach."

Another neighbor then came with a taller ladder.  By this time, a crowd of neighbors had gathered to help.

"My husband was just trying to pull on him and yelling for him to lean on me," remembered Sabrina Martinez.  "He said don't worry if we fall, the people are going to catch us."

That's when the fire department showed up and was able to get Lui to safety.

"It was an awfully heroic effort on the part of the neighbors," Racine Fire Lt. Mark Polzin said.  "Something we don't recommend, we don't need any more victims, but in this case it worked out for the best and they probably saved the victim from further injury."

Edwardo Martinez was too humble to go on camera, but neighbors say it's what anyone would do.

"That's the way our neighborhood is, we all take care of each other.  We don't see it as a heroic act, we're just caring neighbors," said Sabrina Martinez.

Lui is in now at Columbia St. Mary's and is in fair condition.

The Martinez family spoke to Lui's son.  They say he has thanked them for saving his dad.