Person killed, firefighter injured in fire

JFRD: Heavy smoke at home on W. 27th Street

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 26-year-old man who was inside a burning home on West 27th Street in northwest Jacksonville early Sunday morning died and a firefighter responding to the fire a suffered a minor burn to his face.

The fire broke out between 6 and 7 a.m. according to Jacksonville Fire-Rescue. When firefighters arrived, heavy smoke was showing, and neighbors say flames were shooting as high as 10 feet in the air.

Jacksonville Fire-Rescue said they pulled the victim from the home and tried to revive them, but efforts were unsuccessful. 

At 7:20 a.m., Jacksonville Fire-Rescue said the situation was under control, but believe the home is a total loss. Crews were able to leave the scene around 10 a.m. The state fire marshal's office is investigating.

Neighbors and family members say the man who died was Marcus Cato. Family members are having a tough time dealing with the pain.

"Not taking it well. It's hard to believe. I really don't know, I just have to trust in God," said, Eugene Dennis, the victim's stepfather.