Buffalo firefighters early Monday rescued an unconscious man from his second-floor bedroom after battling through heavy smoke and large piles of collectibles in his Lovejoy apartment.

Firefighters at the scene administered CPR to Paul Moskaluk and were able to get his vital signs back before he was rushed to Erie County Medical Center. He then was transferred to Millard Fillmore Gates Hospital, for treatment in its hyperbaric chamber, fire officials said.

Moskaluk's condition was unavailable Monday night.

Firefighters from nearby Engine 28 were the first to respond to a 6:54 a.m. alarm at 214 Ludington St., just north of William Street, where they found heavy smoke coming from the second floor.

The first firefighters put a line up the staircase to the second floor before forcing their way into the second-floor apartment, Fire Division Chief John Mogavero said.

Their path, though, was blocked by 3- to 5-foot-high piles of magazines, books, bottles, cans, baseball cards and other collectibles.

"Typically, when you have someone who accumulates this much [material], there is a pathway, so that the person can make his way through," Mogavero said. "But that wasn't the case here."

As firefighters conducted their normal search for anyone trapped, Ladder 15 Firefighter Richard Hyde found Moskaluk, 52, inside his bedroom, apparently in his bed and unconscious. Hyde and other firefighters had to take him back through the heavy smoke and the piles of debris.

"They brought him out, down the staircase, and once they got him outside they administered CPR," Mogavero said. "It was difficult for them. It was a very narrow staircase, and they had lines going up the stairs."

Mogavero talked about the hazards posed by such large piles of collectible items.

"Not only does it hinder anyone going in to try to assist someone -- whether it's a fire or a medical emergency -- but it's also a big fire hazard," he said.

When a fire breaks out, those large piles can help fuel the blaze.

"Typically, people don't get out of these alive," Mogavero added, praising the firefighters who made the rescue.

Fire investigators believe the fire broke out in the living room, probably in a couch. The cause remains under investigation, and officials said the fire left an estimated $15,000 damage to the large 2 1/2-story frame building housing three apartments.

Two firefighters were injured fighting the blaze, but their injuries were not considered serious.

City firefighters had a very busy Labor Day morning, battling two other fires, one around the corner from the Ludington Street blaze and the other just 10 minutes before the Ludington fire was reported.

The earlier fire, reported at 12:27 a.m. at 115 Benzinger St., also in Lovejoy, left an estimated $20,000 damage to a vacant house.

Then at 6:44 a.m., across town, another suspicious fire caused an estimated $75,000 damage to a house at 367 Military Road, near Hertel Avenue.