West Allis house fire: Woman dead, 'severe hoarding condition'
WEST ALLIS, Wis. - It's heartbreak during the holidays. A woman is dead after a house fire in West Allis early Saturday morning, Dec. 14.
"There was about six cops the whole time and then the fire trucks showed up," said John Reed.
Cell phone video shows first responders on the scene of a house fire near 57th and Walker that left a woman dead overnight.
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Lights lit up this West Allis block after midnight.
"My husband woke up and saw the lights and everything and goes ‘Diane, quick come up there’s fire or something going on,'" said Diane.
West Allis police say around 12:35 a.m., an officer who was on patrol happened to notice the house fire and called it in.
"Firefighters got here pretty quick. I know the cops were pounding on all the doors to make sure everyone was fine," added Reed.
Scene after the fire was extinguished
The West Allis Fire Department says crews "initiated a very purposeful and aggressive search for potential fire victims" but smoke and fire conditions along with a "severe hoarding condition" made the search effort more challenging.
Neighbors say the victim was an older woman.
"I didn’t really personally know ‘em, being around here for 10 years or so. You see people. It is kind of sad," said Reed, who also saw some of the fast-moving flames.
"Oh yes, absolutely just from the left side of the house," he added.
Neighbors say they saw smoke and flames billowing out of one side of the home. FOX6 watched investigators focusing on one side of the home trying to piece together this fatal fire.
"You don’t want to see anyone die or get hurt," said Diane.
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Crews sifted through the blackened wood and charred rubble late Saturday morning. The fire department says that because of the smoke, fire, and water damage, the home is currently uninhabitable.
Two of three dogs were also found dead. No other people or firefighters were injured.
"It’s sad, especially this time of year, it’s tragic," said Diane.
A deadly fire, creating heartbreak just days away from Christmas.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.