A Florida woman in her 80s, who neighbors said was known to be a “hoarder,” was found dead in her home after a house fire on Christmas night.
The Volusia Sheriff’s Office says they responded to the house fire around 9 p.m. Sunday in Deltona, Florida, and said the body of a woman in her 80s was found after firefighters put out the flames, it reported. WOFL-TV.
Neighbors told the outlet that the city of Deltona, as well as the fire marshal, had visited the home multiple times, including a few months before the fire, urging the woman to clean up some of the mess in the home.
Crews pre-filled several large trash bins with items the woman had stored around the house and in the yard. Neighbors say cleaning those items was barely enough to clear a path to the door from the inside.
FLORIDA MAN ALLEGEDLY HIT RACCOON ROOMMATE WITH HAMMER AND THREATENED TO KILL NEIGHBOR WITH SEWING NEEDLE
A Florida woman who neighbors say was a hoarder has been found dead after a fire broke out on Christmas night.
(WOFL-TV)
Neighbors were concerned that the batteries were causing a fire hazard, WOFL-TV reported, and also said the homeowner had been asking people for an extension cord for her space heater the night of the fire.
The fire department is still investigating the cause of the fire, but warned of potential dangers from extension cords.
HUNDREDS OF FLORIDA ‘SURFING SANTAS’ BREATHE THE FREEZING TEMPERATURES OF CHRISTMAS EVE TO SURF WITH CHARITY
A Florida woman who neighbors say was a hoarder was found dead after a Christmas Eve fire
(WOFL-TV)
“Many times, extension cords are not rated for the amount of electricity being generated,” said Battalion Chief Scott Smoak of the Volusia County Fire Department. “So the extension cords start to melt and malfunction, and then that causes an electrical short that causes fires.”
Neighbors called the deceased woman, who has not been publicly identified, friendly and say she lived alone but has a daughter who lives out of state.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Neighbors of the woman in her 80s say she had been asking about an extension cord before the fire.
(WOFL-TV)
Neighbors say they often tried to help the woman by bringing her food and helping her when she needed it.
The Volusia Sheriff’s Office did not respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital by press time.
