PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — One person is dead after a large fire at a home on Court Street Tuesday morning, Portsmouth fire officials said.

According to officials, crews were dispatched to the 300 block of Court Street just before 6 a.m. for a fire with occupants possibly still inside. That’s in the Olde Towne Historic District.

Upon arrival to the scene, crews saw flames and heavy smoke coming from a two-story house. Officials said 12 fire units, medical personnel and police responded to the scene.

10 On Your Side’s Michael Rinker was at the scene, where he saw flames coming from the side of the building. The fire continued to grow while he was at the scene, spreading to other areas of the home. When he first arrived on scene, flames were only visible from the roof, but the home quickly became engulfed in flames. The flames blew out all of the windows, Rinker reported.

Rinker said firefighters worked hard to contain the fire to the home. There are other homes very close to it, and lots of trees in the area.

“We are very grateful for the Portsmouth Fire Department. They got here instantaneously, woke everybody up with all the fire trucks coming so close,” said one neighbor.

Another resident shared video of the fire, showing crews working to contain the fire to the building.

During the active fire, Portsmouth Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Shawn Teartt told WAVY on scene that there were no reported injuries to residents or firefighters at that time, but it was later reported that one person was found dead inside of the home.

Nearby residents stated that two sisters lived in the historic house, with one of them possibly being transported to a local hospital.

Nearby residents also told Rinker the house was owned by the same family for around five generations, with historical documents, even possibly dating back to James Madison, being stored in the attic of the home.

A photo from WAVY’s Tower Cam 10 shows the flames and black smoke visible from far away, highlighting the extent of the fire. Many WAVY viewers reported seeing the smoke and flames during their morning drive Tuesday.

The cause and origin of the fire remains under investigation.