December 23, 2009 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2009-74) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-2857/Fax: (251) 208-2861 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org FIRE CLAIMS 87-YEAR-OLD MAN Mobile Firefighters responded to the report of a house fire late Tuesday evening, December 22 located at 1232 Glen Acres Drive, East. The initial call was received at approximately 11:02 p.m. by neighbors reporting the fire and that the owner/occupant was possibility still inside. Firefighters arrived at approximately 11:11 p.m. reporting heavy smoke and fire coming through the roof of the single-story structure. Fire Officials received at call from one of the victim’s son advising that they would have some difficulty getting through the property and structure because his 87-year-old father was a “hoarder” and to also be careful because large amounts of flammables could be stored inside. Firefighters discovered the property was filled with piles of items and encountered the same problem inside the structure. Combustibles were piled high to the ceiling in most rooms with narrow passageways in between the photos, newspapers, magazines, etc. In some cases firefighters would climb through a window of a room and have to exit in the same matter because they could not advance to other rooms internally. The victim, who lived alone, was found near the rear of the structure and it appeared he may have been trying to escape but was overcome by the heat and smoke. It appears the fire may have smoldered in the debris for awhile prior to getting enough oxygen to break out into flames. Once the fire did break out it easily burned through the ceiling because of the high piles of debris, into the attic and through the roof. The cause of the fire remains under investigation but does not appear to be suspicious in nature. The cause of death and identity of the victim will be determined once the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences conducts and autopsy. This was the fourth fire fatality in the City of Mobile in 2009. Engines 1, 18, 29, truck 5, rescue 29 and District Chief Martin Stanley responded to the incident. The fire is being investigated by the Bureau of Fire Prevention with assistance from Mobile Police I.D. ###