Fatal Overnight House Fire Gulfport

Tragic news out of Gulfport this morning…
One person is dead after an overnight house fire on Locust Hill Drive.

News 25’s Laurene Callander has our full report on the fatal fire.

“It was engulfed in flames…the whole top was engulfed.”
– Denise Joyce Neighbor

Gulfport resident Denise Joyce and her daughter Catherine woke up Wednesday around 3am to their neighbor’s home up in flames.
And the news was about to get worse.

“We were told 3 people were living here…two of the residents were spending the night away from the home tonight…and that’s where we’re at right now.”
– Chief Michael Beyerstedt Gulfport Fire Department

Harrison County Coroner Gary Hargrove confirmed one person died inside the home during the fire.
Neighbors tell News 25 a woman lived in the home on locust hill drive with her two teenage kids who spent the night at a nearby house.

“She was a good person she really was she meant…she had a good heart…and um just a sweet lady.”
– Denise Joyce Neighbor

The flames were so powerful two surrounding homes were damaged.
Firefighters exhausted all efforts to control the fire and smoke in the two story home.

“They did get access to the first floor and were going up to the second floor and didn’t make it up on two occasions they were beat back by the heat and flames and third attempt they did make it all the way up there.”
– Chief Michael Beyerstedt Gulfport Fire Department

Neighbors continue to grieve over the loss…
As investigators with the Gulfport Fire Department and the state fire marshal try to piece together the cause of the blaze.
In Gulfport Laurene Callander News 25.