PLANTATION, Fla. – Wade Caldwell was inside the Plantation home that he lived in since childhood when the house went up in flames.
Caldwell, who Local 10 learned was in his early 60s, died in the blaze Saturday night when he was trapped as ferocious flames tore away at the home just after midnight.
One neighbor told Local 10, “I was sleeping and the next thing I know, I heard it.”
Firefighters attempted to get inside the house at Southwest 55th Terrace to save Caldwell, but were deterred when windows and doors were boarded up. The front and back doors were also blocked, according to investigators.
Dispatch told Plantation Fire and Rescue: “The male, he is trapped inside the residence, he is unable to get out.”
Firefighters were unable to get through the obstructions to save him.
Sara Reynolds, who lives across the street, said she and her husband jumped out of bed and saw the terrifying scene of the house engulfed in flames.
“He kept the plywood on the windows for hurricane season. He actually said he was going to take those off soon. We’ve been here two years and he’s always been across the street anytime we needed something without even asking,” Reynolds said.
The car in the front yard was left charred, as was most of the home. Flowers and other mementos were seen in the driveway Sunday left by neighbors.
“He was a great guy,” Reynolds said, “super kind and generous.”
Caldwell, a professional photographer, was the owner of Wade Caldwell Photography.
Plantation Fire is still investigating what caused the fatal blaze.