By: Richard L. Smith
A two-alarm fire in Burlington County claimed the life of one person Saturday evening, as reported extensive hoarding conditions inside the home posed significant challenges for firefighters.
The blaze broke out shortly before 6:30 p.m. at a large two-story house on the 500 block of East Pennington Drive in the Holly Hills section of Westampton Township.
Responding crews found the home fully engulfed in flames, prompting officials to strike a second alarm for additional manpower.
Firefighters battled intense flames that spread throughout the structure and were informed of the possibility of victims trapped inside.
As crews attempted to enter the burning home, excessive hoarding conditions obstructed access, complicating rescue and suppression efforts.
After working through the night, firefighters were able to bring the fire under control around 2:30 a.m. Tragically, one person was found deceased during a search of the home.
The cause of the fire remains under active investigation, and no further details about the victim have been released.
Officials are urging residents to ensure that homes remain free of excessive clutter to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
