Deadly fire kills eight children and one adult in New York

A devastating fire broke out in a three-story building, killing eight children and one adult and leaving several others injured in one of New York City's deadliest blazes in recent memory, authorities said.

Photo: Deadly fire kills eight children and one adult in New York

Deadly fire kills eight children and one adult in New York

Fire Department spokesman Seth Andrews confirmed the death toll early Thursday. The cause of the fire, in the city's Bronx borough, was not immediately known, the AP reports.

At least 10 people were injured, some of them seriously. Four firefighters and one other emergency worker were hospitalized with minor injuries.

Witnesses and neighbors described a huge inferno that sent smoke billowing throughout the neighborhood.

The fire was reported shortly after 11 p.m. Wednesday. It burned in the building's basement and first floor, Andrews said.

The neighborhood is in the south Bronx, not far from Yankee Stadium.

All the injured were taken to hospitals, Andrews said.

Five children and one adult were taken to Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center, hospital spokeswoman Jill Brookner said. She said their conditions were unavailable early Thursday, but two were to be taken to a burn unit for further treatment.

Firefighters had the blaze under control shortly after 1 a.m. Thursday, Andrews said.