PORTSMOUTH, Va. — One person is dead after a large house fire on Court Street on Tuesday morning, Portsmouth Fire officials confirmed. Flames and heavy smoke were visible from 13News Now's tower cameras, and smoke even drifted across the Elizabeth River into Norfolk.

Firefighters arrived just before 6 a.m. and quickly activated their residential structure fire plan. Approximately 12 fire trucks and three medic units, along with multiple police officers, responded to the scene.

A battalion chief confirmed there was one fatality in the fire, but their identity has not been released at this time. Fire officials noted that nearby trees and surrounding structures posed challenges during the response.

As of late Tuesday morning, crews have extinguished the flames.

Neighbors describe the loss

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