Hollywood Fire Officials: Man's Body Found Inside Burned Home

HOLLYWOOD (CBSMiami) – Hollywood Police are investigating a fire that happened Sunday afternoon.

Inside the burned home, firefighters discovered a man who had died.

The fire occurred in the 2800 block of Taylor Street around 5 p.m.

Watch Maggie Newland's report, click here.

Neighbors rushed from their houses as fire trucks filled the street Sunday afternoon.

"It was just tragic, it's very tragic," said Kathy Garfield.

In this close-knit neighborhood, it didn't take long for someone to notice something was wrong at the home on Taylor Street in Hollywood.

"I came home, I pulled in and I saw smoke coming out of the window," said Bodonna Bihun.  "I noticed all the windows were black, so I went to the door there was no answer, so I went to the back. My landlord lives in the back so they went and unlocked the door and saw smoke and fire.  I called 911."

"The owner of the complex immediately opened the door and went in with a hose and tried to open the windows and put out where ever the smoke and flames were coming from and he noticed him on the floor and unfortunately it was just too late," said Garfield.

When firefighters arrived, they reported heavy smoke and discovered the body inside.

Michael Ryan says he stopped because his good friend lived along this street.

"I seen the tape, I said oh - asked the police officer which apt is it one or two - he said the front one," said Ryan. "Oh no, I thought maybe something terrible happened."

Ryan said his friend died in the fire.

"He was outgoing, kind, funny," said Ryan.

"I was over here Friday," Ryan added.  "I was going to give him a ride to the doctor's he said no he'll do it himself.  That was the last time I talked to him."

As police investigate the cause of the deadly fire, many in the community are mourning a friend and longtime neighbor.

"I'm in shock.  He was my neighbor and he was a really sweet guy he really helped me we were always borrowing sugar and stuff from each other," said Bihun.

Investigators are looking for answers, if you have any information contact Crime Stoppers at (954) 493-TIPS.

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