PORTLAND, OR (KPTV) -
Firefighters say extreme hoarding conditions fueled a deadly fire in a northeast Portland home Thursday morning.
Fire crews first responded at about 5 a.m. to a fire at the home near Northeast 111th Avenue and Oregon Street. They found heavy flames upon their arrival.
Neighbors told firefighters that one man lived alone in the house and they believed he was still inside.
When firefighters went inside, they had to push past piles of burning clutter to search the house. Firefighters finally found the man's body in a back bedroom. Firefighters say the hoarding conditions also made it difficult to pull the man's body out of the house.
Investigators say the victim is in his 50s or 60s.
While fighting the blaze, a firefighter suffered a minor burn.
The fire was determined to be accidental and caused by household items that were too close to a fireplace.
The home's estimated value is $150,000 and it is nearly a complete loss, firefighters say.
The victim's name has not been released.
Copyright 2012 KPTV (Meredith corporation). All rights reserved.
All
content ©Copyright 2000 - 2012, KPTV, Portland, OR.
(A Meredith Corporation Station) and WorldNow. All rights
reserved.
