Man’s body found in house fire near New Smyrna Beach

NEW SMYRNA BEACH — Firefighters responded to a blaze near New Smyrna Beach and found the body of a man inside the front part of the structure, fire officials said Monday morning.

The fire erupted just before 11 p.m. at 187 Howard Ave., said Bill Snyder, a division chief with Volusia County Fire Services, and there were flames shooting out of the roof and front windows when firefighters arrived.

With firefighters from the county, New Smyrna Beach and Port Orange responding, the blaze was contained by 11:30 p.m., Snyder said.

But when firefighters entered to check the interior, they found the person in the front part of the house, Snyder said. According to property records, the house is owned by Jimmy L. Hives. But it’s not clear who died in the house.

“I can only assume that the person was trying to get out, but that’s only an assumption,” Snyder said.

The cause of the fire has not been determined and the person has not been identified.

“The Fire Marshal’s Office will be investigating,” Snyder said.

The home is in an unincorporated enclave surrounded by New Smyrna Beach.