BOSTON -- A Boston man was brought to the hospital Monday after he was found living in squalor with 8-foot-high piles of debris blocking doorways, according to inspection services officials.

Officials were called to 34 St. Stephens St. in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood Monday after neighbors reported a strong odor of home heating oil coming from the building.

When officials arrived at the home, they said they found Herbert Hamilton, 73, the owner of the property, inside, along with 10 cats and piles of debris and trash. All entries and exits were blocked by debris, a city violation, officials said.

The yard was full of trash bins, empty bottles, cat cages and litter boxes, construction materials and a "giant object" that may have been a car, according to the report.

Officials said part of the ceiling of the second floor had collapsed, and debris was piled to the window.

"It seems like a severe case of hoarding. And unfortunately, hoarders believe that everything they own is of value. Instead of discarding it, they tend to keep it and save it over a long period of time," said Steven O'Donnell, of Boston Inspectional Services.

Hamilton was brought to Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital for observation.

All utilities to the building have been turned off.

A hearing to decide whether the property should be condemned is scheduled for March 9.