'Our Hearts Go Out To His Family': Danvers Firefighters Discover 1 Dead In Smokey House Fire

DANVERS, MA — Danvers firefighters encountered heavy smoke and "extreme clutter" as they battled a MacArthur Boulevard fire that killed the home's resident on Tuesday afternoon.

Danvers Fire Chief Brian Barry said on Wednesday that crews responded to a call from neighbors that the house at 36 MacArthur Boulevard was on fire and that one person was believed to be inside. He said firefighters trying to go through the front door found a hole in the floor just inside the entryway with a drop to the basement.

When they went around back through a slide-door entrance, they were met with the clutter and "smoke banking down to the floors."

Crews were able to locate the home's owner and remove him from the building. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

"Our hearts go out to his family," Barry said.

Barry said crews were able to get the fire under control in about 10 minutes.

"The origin and cause are being investigated by the Danvers Fire Department, Danvers Police Department, State Police fire investigators assigned to the State Fire Marshal's office and State Police assigned to the Essex County District Attorney's Office.