An investigation is underway after two people were killed early Monday morning when a five-alarm fire tore through a Brooklyn apartment building.
City fire officials say flames broke out just before 2 a.m. inside the multi-family home located at 40 Richardson Street in Williamsburg.
There were six apartments in the building.
"I just heard a like a bang. Then we were sleeping, we woke up. We looked at the alleyway, there was a lot of flames. And we just got dressed quickly, got wet towels and ran out and as we were running, there were some bits of debris, small dust and stuff but the air was very, was very toxic," described one witness at the scene.
An FDNY chief added, "Upon arrival we had very heavy fire in the first, second and third floor of the building with extension there was a rear tenement, which is another apartment building behind this apartment building. So we had heavy fire conditions throughout. We just transmitted the 5th alarm for relief."
Fire officials say both victims were found in a second floor residence.
Six other tenants were displaced.
Two firefighters suffered minor injuries.
The Red Cross says crews are assisting two families displaced by the fire.