A fire that left a Shreveport man severely burned today was started by his 6-year-old son playing with a candle, fire investigators said.

Quincy Ashley, 28, was outside the apartment when the fire started in a couch, firefighters said. He was burned after he ran inside to save his two children who, unbeknownst to him, had gotten out on their own.

Ashley was being treated at LSU Hospital's burn unit this afternoon.

The fire occurred this morning at Fox Trail Apartments on Red Fox Trail.

Dana Washington said her daughter, who was getting ready to go to school, saw the fire.

"She said, 'Mommy, something's wrong. There's smoke coming from down there.'"

Everyone else living in the eight-unit building escaped unharmed.

Fire investigators said Ashley's son apparently lit the candle while his father was outside. His children were able to get out safely -- but he didn't know that and ran back inside the burning apartment.

Fire investigators said it doesn't appear there was a working smoke detector in the apartment.