Akron House Fire Leaves 7 Dead

AKRON, OH — Officials say seven people were killed in a house fire in Akron that broke out early Monday morning and left the interior of the structure charred.

The fire broke out in the 600 block of Fultz Street and city officials say the fire department responded quickly to extinguish the blaze but were unable to immediately access the upper level of the home due to "significant, internal structural damage."

Cleveland.com reports that a special response team arrived at the scene at 9:30 a.m. to help make it safe to enter the home and were able to enter two hours later. Neighbors who called 911 said flames were shooting from the home and another described it as being "almost burnt up," the publication reports.

The Ohio Fire Marshall's office is assisting the Akron Fire Department and Akron Police Department in their investigation, a spokeswoman said.

Among those killed were five children and two adults. A family dog also died in the fire.

“My family, the Akron Fire Department, and the entire Akron community, are profoundly saddened by this devastating incident and this tragic loss of life. My deepest sympathies and prayers are with the family and loved ones of those who perished, and we pray for strength and healing in the difficult days to come. We will see to it that the victims' families are supported in this time of great sorrow and need," Akron Mayor Daniel Horrigan, said in a statement.

"I thank the Akron Fire Department for their bravery in quickly responding to this scene in the early hours of the morning. I offer my full support and confidence as the professionals work to investigate the cause of this fire.”

In April 2016, a fire that broke out two blocks away from the scene of Monday's fire claimed two lives and was ruled an arson. Cleveland.com notes that there is no indication Monday's fire was connected to the 2016 fire but Akron fire chief Clarence Tucker said at a press conference that the possibility of arson cannot be ruled out with a fire this severe.

The investigation is ongoing.

>>>Read more at Cleveland.com.

Firefighters investigate the remains of a burned home in Akron, Ohio on Monday, May 15, 2017. Photo by Dake Kang/Associated Press