Hoarding Hampers Sacramento, CA, Firefighters at Deadly House Fire
The Sacramento Bee
(TNS)
An Arden house fire left two people dead late Tuesday as Metro Fire crews battled flames and what officials said were hoarding conditions inside the burning home.
A third person escaped the fire at 3530 William Way near Watt Avenue in the Arden community before firefighters arrives, said Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District Capt. Mark Nunez, in a statement.
Metro Fire crews arrived 10:15 p.m. to heavy flames at the back of the single-story home and learned two people were still inside. Crews fighting the fire in the back of the home found the first victim when they made their way into the house. Firefighters soon located the second victim during a more thorough search of the home, Nunez said.
Conditions inside the home hampered firefighters’ search for the two victims and their battle against the flames.
“The residence contained hoarder-like conditions, which significantly hindered firefighting operations and search efforts,” Nunez said in the statement.
A firefighter received a minor burn to the hand and was treated. No other injuries were reported, Nunez said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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