Authorities have identified a 55-year-old man who was killed in a large house fire in Wilson County.
The blaze was reported around 8 p.m. Thursday at a home on Crystal Court in the Lakeview area of Mt. Juliet.
Mt. Juliet firefighters said a neighbor called 911 after seeing heavy smoke. They believed the fire started under the floor in a crawl space, which caused the first floor to collapse.
Crews had to remove walls and flooring from the outside just to get to the flames. The home was a total loss.
Shift Commander James Copas described it as a possible hoarding situation, and said that made conditions difficult for his crews.
“Not so much the fire conditions or the smoke conditions but the amount of stuff. [Firefighters] were met basically, they said they were able to make it about five feet inside the door and they couldn't get any further,” Copas said.
The victim was later identified as David S. Troutman. The investigation remained ongoing.
Related Story:
Clinical Specialist Warns Of Hoarding Dangers
