ANTHONY, Fla. — The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of a Marion County fatal fire.
- State Fire Marshal investigates fatal Marion fire
- Man was found inside the structure dead, says firefighters
Marion County Fire Rescue says units were called out at about 9:15 p.m. Wednesday to the 10600 block of NE 41st Terrace in Anthony, Florida.
"Firefighters had to force entry through the fortified gates to get to the blaze. They fought the fire back to enable rescue crews to perform a primary search of the structure. Crews found the victim at 9:51 p.m. and declared him deceased," said James Lucas with Marion County Fire Rescue.
James Hime lives next door and says he was coming home when he saw the fire.
"I went to come to the front of the gate, but he had it padlocked, and I saw gas cans, the lawnmower and the barbecue grill all together and the fire was getting to that point," Hime said.
Pictured: Gregory Hester (right) and his family. (PHOTO: Talpha Smith)
Marion County Sheriff's Office says detectives are awaiting further identification of the remains, but Talpha Smith says it was her cousin, Gregory Hester, that was inside the house.
"This is unexpected and it hurts because knowing Greg, he was so full of life. He was the best cousin I could ever have," Smith said.
"I'm having a little girl and I'm sad because she's not going to be able to meet him. Such a wonderful man, and I'm sure she would love him as much as everybody else does," she added.
Smith says Hester had no life or home insurance, so they've set up a Gofundme account.
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