NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) -- A person has died after a fire on Avenue I Monday morning, fire crews said. "It hurts... that hurts," expressed Delores Wilson, a 30-year long resident of Avenue I. First responders rushed to the house fire in the 900 block of Avenue near Sewells Point Road around 7 a.m. in Norfolk. "All I saw... look like fire. It look like fire and I couldn't see anything," she said about the scene unraveling in front of her house. Police officers heard the call for help and were able to get there before firefighters because they were nearby. When they got there, fire officials tell 10 On Your Side the officers tried to get inside, but the fire was too big. When firefighters arrived, they used the ladder truck to reach the roof and put holes in it to ventilate the smoke. The improved visibility and conditions gave fire crews a chance to get inside to find the victim. Fire officials said the person had passed away on the second story. They have not released their name at this time. Family of the fire victim was there as crews worked to clean out some of the homes debris. No one else was living in the home when it caught fire. Photos from the scene show a heavy emergency personnel presence and the roof of the house damaged. Norfolk Avenue I fire (Courtesy: Norfolk Fire-Rescue)Norfolk Avenue I fire (WAVY photo)Norfolk Avenue I fire (WAVY photo)Norfolk Avenue I fire (Courtesy: Norfolk Fire-Rescue)Norfolk Avenue I fire (WAVY photo)Norfolk Avenue I fire (WAVY photo)Norfolk Avenue I fire (WAVY photo)Norfolk Avenue I fire (WAVY photo)Norfolk Avenue I fire (WAVY photo)Norfolk Avenue I fire (Courtesy: Norfolk Fire-Rescue) After several deadly fires in Norfolk this year, Chief Williams is continuing to encourage people to check their smoke detectors and have an escape plan. "As we've been saying for the last several weeks, make sure you have working smoke detectors," he explained. "Make sure you have a plan to get out of your home in the event of a bad emergency practice." Something as simple as a compact ladder can help if you live in a multistory building. One was created by former Norfolk Fire-Rescue members with more than 25 years of experience combined. "It only takes a few minutes and you can save your life and the one thing that we're trying to stress the most, check for working smoke detectors. Plan for a fire escape," Williams said. If you're interested in having a ladder for your second story, click here for the one's created by former Norfolk Fire-Rescue personnel. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Continue to check WAVY.com for updates. ...read more read less