Two women are homeless after a fire destroyed their home which authorities said was mainly filth.
The problem was so bad that the Ohio State Fire Marshal's office has decided to pass on its fire investigation to the Lawrence County Health Department.
Endless items made investigators decide to condemn the house.
The women who lived in the home feel lucky to be alive, reported ONN's Denise Alex.
"Six hours earlier and none of us would be alive," said Sharon Allen.
"Don't need so much stuff," said Rita Harley.
It was in a room full of "stuff" where the blaze broke out Sunday morning. Harley said she was sitting out on the porch.
"I never look through the window, I always just open the door. The flames shooting out were awful," said Harley.
Harley, 60, was home alone and isn't very mobile.
"If it would have happened while I was in there, I would have never gotten out," she said.
"If this fire would have happened in the middle of the night, we would have died. We'd have died. I'd never be able to get her out the door in time," said Allen.
Allen has lived with Harley in the Chesapeake home they rent for five years. Harley has lived there 15 years.
Fire officials said their hoarding likely ignited the fire.
"(Flames) were clear up the walls. Every time I shut my eyes I see it," said Harley.
Hoarding may have also prevented flames from spreading. Various items in their home were at least three feet deep and actually smoldered the fire, according to investigators.
While the house is a complete loss, some items were salvaged including a picture of one of Harley's daughters.
"It's a tough one, but like I said, it's a new start," said Allen.
It is a new start by two friends lucky to be alive.
"It was just God's blessing that both of us were out of the house at that particular time," Allen said.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
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