WDIV
Reprinted with Permission

DETROIT - A 95-year-old died in her home after it caught on fire around 5 a.m. Thursday.


The fire started at Linwood and Hudson roads.

Firefighters said Viola Dickson's home was filled with clutter, which hampered their rescue attempts.

Firefighters said they had a hard time getting into the home and had to cut a whole in the side of the home in able to get inside.

Dickson had four children, who have all passed away over the years.

She also has six grandchildren.

"The house is full of memories and everything. She never wanted to throw anything away, ever. We cleaned out the house numerous times," said Zina Parker, Dickson's granddaughter.

Her family said she was quite alert and had been living alone for 40 years, they checked on her often.

Firefighters said the fire keeps rekindling because of all of the clutter.

No word on what started that fire.

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