Hero Qld man 'did what he needed to do'

A brave neighbour who pulled two children from a burning home in north Queensland "just did what he needed to do", his wife says.

Mark Burgess came to the aid of his neighbour as she rushed to get her young children out of the Mackay home, which went up in flames early on Thursday morning.

She was able to get four of them out quickly, but two were trapped in a back room.

Mr Burgess pulled a window screen free to get inside and rescue the pair.

His wife Taryn heard the woman yelling before her husband sprang into action.

"I presume he heard it as well and just did what he needed to do," she told the ABC.

Mr Burgess' quick thinking "without a doubt" saved the children from serious harm, Acting Senior Sergeant Anthony Cowan said.

He was taken to hospital for smoke inhalation but is in a good condition.

The two children were also taken there for further assessment.

Queensland Ambulance Service spokesman Ross Vickers said it was lucky no lives were lost, given the fire broke out in the early morning.

It's understood the blaze caused significant damage to the home in the 20 minutes crews battled to put it out.

Local police plan to nominate Mr Burgess for a bravery award - but his wife isn't so sure he'd like the attention.

"I don't know that he'll be very happy being called a hero," she said.

"He's just a dad, a regular guy."