UPDATE @ 9:12 p.m.: Firefighters are working to determine what caused the fire Friday night in the 900 block of Dibert Avenue in Springfield that severely burned a house full of goods that were being stored there.
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Once firefighters were able to get into the house, Battalion Chief Jeremy Linn, Springfield Fire Division, said they found "what would be considered hoarding conditions."
They found mattresses, car tires, overstuffed furniture and more, he said.
There was no electric or gas service to the house, but Linn said it was way too soon to consider the fire as suspicious.
Neighbors on either side said the owner was using the place as storage from other houses. Neighbors also said the house has been vacant for years and they saw no activity at the address Friday.
One of the neighboring homes was damaged by fire, Linn said, but there were no injuries.
Linn said he was not far away when the incident was dispatched and he could see smoke billowing out into the street from blocks away. Flames caused heavy damage to the right side of the house.
He estimated the structure was a total loss.
UPDATE @ 7:50 p.m.:
We're hearing that flames have burned through the first floor, from the basement, of the fire on Dibert Avenue near South Jackson Street.
INITIAL REPORT
Crews are on the scene of a structure fire on Dibert Avenue, near South Jackson Street in Springfield.
The incident was dispatched about 7:20 p.m. from a report from someone who said they saw smoke and flames as they were driving by the address.
We have not heard of any reports of injuries.
We have a crew on the way and we'll update this developing report.
If you have information about this or any other breaking news, please call our 24-hour line at 937-259-2237 or send it to cmgobnt@hotmail.com