Deadly east Charlotte house fire caused by 'discarded smoking material'

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A house fire left one person dead Friday morning in east Charlotte, investigators said.

Emergency crews were called just after midnight to a home on Birchcrest Drive, just off Central Avenue, and learned someone was still trapped inside.

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That person died in the fire. Officials have not released their name.

It took 22 firefighters about 25 minutes to get the flames under control.

Channel 9 crews could see caution tape up around the home as investigators worked to determine how the blaze started.

Investigators said the fire was caused by "discarded smoking material." They said the smoke alarms did not appear to be working in the home.

Officials said a mass of belongings could have blocked the victim from escaping. This was the same case as a fire just seven hours later on David Avenue.

"There was indication of hoarding conditions in both homes," investigators said.

Check back with wsoctv.com for updates on this story.

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