EVANSTON, Ill. - Authorities in Evanston say a man believed to have been in his 80s died in a house fire when he was trapped in the clutter of items he had hoarded.

Evanston Fire Department Division Chief Tom Janetske says firefighters found the man's body Tuesday morning after they pushed past extensive clutter in the front of his single-family brick ranch house. It took them several tries before they were able to get in.

Janetske says the man was under about three feet of debris in the home's living room, less than 10 feet from the front door. The fire had been confined to a different part of the house.

Janetske says the victim was dead on the scene. His identity was being withheld pending notification of family.
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Information from: Chicago Tribune, http://www.chicagotribune.com

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