OLEAN, N.Y. -- Two people are dead following a house fire early Sunday morning in the City of Olean.
The fire started around 2:30 a.m. on South 2nd Street. When firefighters arrived, the home was fully engulfed in flames.
The Olean Times Herald is reporting that there were five people inside the home at the time. Three people were able to escape with minor injuries, but two others died in the fire.
The names have not been released until all family members are notified.
The three injured people were transported to Olean General Hospital.
Firefighters attempted to reach the victims but were turned back when the roof of the home collapsed. A witness said the entire home was engulfed in flames and he didn't think there was much more the firefighters could have done.
The victims are the niece and grand-niece of Olean Fire Department Chief Robert Bell.
Two neighboring homes were also damaged in the conflagration. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
