One person died on Friday night after a home in northwest Ocala caught on fire.
At around 9:35 p.m., Ocala Fire Rescue units were dispatched to a single-story residence near the 1900 block of NW 24th Court after receiving reports of a fire in the area.
Firefighters soon arrived on scene and observed flames through the home’s front left-side window. According to OFR, neighbors advised that the house’s side door was open and the person who lived there was still inside.
OFR crews entered the home and encountered heavy smoke, which limited their visibility. As the firefighters made their way through the residence in search of any occupants, they located an individual who was non-responsive.
The home’s occupant was immediately brought outside and transported to a local hospital as a trauma alert. Unfortunately, the individual succumbed to injuries sustained in the fire, and they were pronounced deceased at the hospital.
Firefighters re-entered the home and located a fire in the attic. OFR stated that the fire was “knocked down” by 9:49 p.m., and it was fully extinguished approximately 10 minutes later.
The cause of the house fire is under investigation, according to OFR.
The Prevention Division, Ocala Police Department, Marion County Fire Rescue, Ocala Electric Utility, and State Fire Marshall’s Office also responded.