Elderly man hurt in Sydney fire

An inner Sydney block has been evacuated after a fire broke out and badly damaged a second-floor unit.

A Sydney firefighter has been hurt protecting lives and homes from a fast-moving blaze. (AAP)

An elderly man is in hospital following a fire at a unit block in inner Sydney.

The building in Waterloo was evacuated in the early hours of Monday after the fire took hold of a second floor unit, leaving it severely damaged.

A 77-year-old man was taken to hospital suffering smoke inhalation.