Firefighters in Jeannette faced "extreme hoarding conditions" as they fought a deadly house fire on Scott Avenue, authorities said Wednesday. 

From the outside of the still-burning home, debris piles were seen inside, some of which spilled onto the porch roof when firefighters broke open windows to vent the home. The debris helped to fuel the fire, allowing it to spread quickly, crews said. 

"We were walking through anywhere from 3 to 5 feet of material and debris in the house. We had it up to our chest. We were wading through trying to get to the last known location of the victim," Jeannette Fire Captain Josh Rettger said. 

The body of 67-year-old Elizabeth Liptak, whom the coroner identified late Wednesday, was found under debris, officials said. Rettger added that it was the worst hoarding conditions he had seen in the city.

"We had to create two doors to get in the house, because all the residential doors were blocked by furniture," Rettger said.

To do so in at least one case, crews made a window opening larger.

Liptak's neighbor and longtime friend Raymond Gross said he knew the struggles Liptak faced, but he still cared deeply about her.

"You know someone for 30 years, it's hard," Gross said. 

He wishes he could have gone inside the home to save Liptak. 

"You could tell the whole kitchen area was engulfed in flames," Gross said. "There's no way you could go inside and try to get her out because you'd be trapped."

He said another neighbor tried to get inside to help Liptak, but they were unable to open the door due to debris inside. 

"She's a nice person, she's real kind. She didn't bother anybody," Gross said. "It's sad." 

Some of the siding on Gross' home was melted by the heat of the fire.

Crews spent about four hours at the scene on Wednesday. 

The fire started on the stovetop, and police ruled it accidental, Rettger said. The home will likely have to be torn down, he said.