Hoarding Hampers Rescue Efforts In Fatal Fire

Hoarding issues may have contributed to a death in a fatal house fire, early Sunday morning.

Kalamazoo Public Safety officers were called to a home, around 2:15 AM, in the 400 block of Wallace Street, to battle a blaze. Upon entering the home, they encountered heavy smoke with fire throughout the structure. The conditions quickly deteriorated and the fire fighters left the home to begin a defensive attack from the exterior.

As they began the new strategy, they were alerted that a person could still be in the residence. The fire crew re-entered the structure and began a search, but heavy hoarding issues and a collapsing roof made it difficult.

One victim was eventually located, but was pronounced dead. The identity has not yet been released and an autopsy will be conducted on Monday.

The incident is currently under investigation by the Kalamazoo Fire Marshal.