Residents of a Temple Hills community rushed to help neighbors who were inside their burning home Sunday evening, according to Prince George’s County fire officials.

 Before firefighters arrived at the 3200 block of Beaumont Street, two neighbors – Gene Ward and DeMitrius Handon – helped resident Chris Musser rescue his father, James Musser, who is generally confined to a wheelchair and was trapped on the second floor of the burning house, authorities said.

Chris Musser is in his 50s, and James Musser is in his 70s, according to fire department spokesman Mark E. Brady. James Musser’s wife, Donna Musser, was not injured, Brady said.

 Once the three residents were out of the house, another neighbor, Darlene Townsend, provided first aid to Chris and James Musser, according to officials. The two men were later transported to a local burn unit with smoke inhalation, authorities said.

 About 40 firefighters, paramedics and command staff responded to the scene, according to officials.  The fire started about 8:15 p.m. on the second floor of the two-story duplex and was contained in that area, officials said.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and the damage was estimated to be about $55,000, authorities said.

 The County Citizen Services Unit and the  American Red Cross are assisting the displaced family with temporary shelter, according to fire officials.

 In a statement, Brady praised the neighbors who assisted the Musser family, “not only for their heroic actions but also for the caring and compassion of neighbors helping neighbors.”