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At Least 1 Dead In West Baltimore House Fire

BALTIMORE (WJZ)--Investigators are searching for answers after flames rip through a west Baltimore home--leaving at least one person dead.

Rick Ritter has the devastating details.

Early Saturday morning, flames light the way along Druid Hill Avenue, with at least one victim trapped inside a burning row home.

"It looked like something out of a movie, I've never seen something that intense in my life," said Lonnie Nixon.

The call came in around 5:30 a.m.with heavy smoke billowing from the first and second floor--waking up neighbors along the street.

"I was in the house and my friend Sharon told me there was a house on fire," Nixon said.

That's when Lonnie Nixon's instincts take over. He races down the street and tries to bust inside the home.

"Once I got the white door open, all the smoke it was so intense, we couldn't go no further," he said.

Firefighters are right behind him, but it's too late.

"They conducted a primary search which revealed the fatality of an adult victim," said Samuel Johnson, Baltimore City Fire Department.

Shortly after, the roof caves in.

"I was just thinking to go in there and try and save someone's life, whatever has to be done," Nixon said.

Preventing firefighters from completing a final search of the home.

"It's sad, it's sad. I hope they do an intense investigation," said Nixon.

At this hour, the victim has not been identified and officials aren't saying if others were inside the home at the time of the fire.

The cause of the fire still under investigation

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