OCALA, Fla. – A person who was taken to a hospital after being found nonresponsive in a burning Marion County home Friday night has died, according to Ocala Fire Rescue.
The fire and rescue department dispatched an engine at 9:32 p.m. to investigate smoke seen near the 1900 block of NW 24th Court, sending out a slew of units within minutes upon hearing during the drive that more 911 callers had reported a fire in the area, a news release states.
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When firefighters arrived, they saw smoke clouding the road and concealing a single-story residential building where flames were visible through a front window, hearing from neighbors that the resident was inside and a side door was open.
Inside of the house, the first crew reported heavy smoke and no visibility before discovering the victim while searching the home for occupants and flames. The person was immediately removed and transferred to an ambulance, the release states.
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A fire was located in the home’s attic and doused as another search of the structure was conducted, firefighters said. The fire was knocked down by 9:49 p.m. and extinguished by 10 p.m., the release states.
The occupant was taken to a hospital as a trauma alert, where they ultimately died, according to the release.
The cause of the fire is still being investigated. The State Fire Marshal’s Office, Prevention Division, Ocala Police Department, Marion County Fire Rescue and Ocala Utilities also reportedly responded.
Note: This map depicts the general area of the scene and not necessarily its exact location.
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