Authorities: Elderly Man Presumed Dead in Palco Place House Fire

One person was killed Sunday morning in a fire in the 5200 block of Palco Place in College Park, according to WUSA9.com. The fire reportedly started around 5 a.m. in the two-story house.

Heather Rivas, a neighbor, told the TV station"when I looked out of the house it was engulfed in flames. The flames were just coming out of the roof."

The fire lit up the dark Sunday morning sky. Rivas said, "It was horrific."

A couple in their 80s was inside. The woman, suffering from smoke inhalation was able to get out. But firefighters had a tough time reaching her 82-year-old husband, who is presumed dead, WUSA reported.

Firefighters encountered large amounts of paper, binders and books packed into the house.

Mark Brady, Prince George's County Fire spokesperson, said the clutter in the house made it difficult for rescuers. "I'm sure the occupants knew where those passageways were, firefighters were challenged to negotiate that."

The body of the man, also in his 80s, was found on the second floor, reported NBCWashington.com. The station reported the woman had escaped the blaze, but re-entered in an attempt to rescue her husband.

Firefighters say the house was piled from top to bottom. This is the the second day in a row Prince George's County firefighters have had to battle hoarding type conditions, the TV station said.

On Saturday, Fire Chief Marc Bashoor said large amounts of material made it challenging to fight an electrical fire on Walters Lane in Forestville. An 85-year-old woman and her son escaped their burning house. Three firefighters were taken to the hospital with burns.

As walls were torn down at the house in College Park, it revealed piles stacked everywhere. 

The victim's identity has not been officially released, according to the fire department's blog post. An autopsy will be required to confirm positive identification.

The status of a smoke alarm in the residence is unknown, the blog said. 

The cause of the fire remains open and under investigation. Fire loss is estimated at $100,000, according to the department's blog. 

Neighbor Wallie Brockway said, "We've known them a long time. Our kids grew up together. It's sad."

Nearly 100 firefighters responded; none of them were injured. The female occupant remains in serious but stable condition.

Firefighters will be returning to the Sunnyside Community of College Park on Monday. They will go door-to-door checking smoke alarms and providing residents with fire safety information, the department blog said.