JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --
A Jacksonville man died Saturday morning when a fire broke out in the Westside home where he and his teenage grandson were sleeping.
The 14-year-old boy was able to escape the fire but his grandfather, a 62-year-old man whose name has not been released, was not as fortunate.
The fire happened in the 2000 block of Burr Street.
"When we first got here they had fire coming out the front windows and out the front door," said Jacksonville Fire Rescue Lt. Mike Peery.
Investigators said the grandfather and grandson were asleep when the fire began.
"The grandson noticed the fire and was able to barely get out by jumping through flames and knocking the door down to get out the front door," Peery said.
Witnesses said neighbors did everything they could to try to rescue the man still inside the burning home.
"They broke the windows out and got in there. They said the smoke and heat were so intense until they could not go any further and they had to get out," said the victim's friend, Henry Lee Jackson. "They tried to get him out. One of them held on to his hand, but he said his hand was too soft and he couldnt hold on to it."
Jackson owns the home were the fire took place. He said the victim had been living in the house for 20 years.
Firefighters said when they found the victim it was too late.
"As soon as I got inside the back door, they were able confirm that they found the victim inside the back part of the house," Peery said.
"He's been a great citizen. He was a churchgoer. He sung in the choir," said Jackson.
Investigators said the fire appears to have started in the home's attic, but the cause remains under investigation.
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