by Rockland Daily Staff

An early morning fire at a two-family home on 118 Lake Street left five people dead, including two children. 

Five other fire victims were hospitalized, and a firefighter was injured after the fire was reported via 911 by multiple callers shortly after 4:00 a.m. 

By the time emergency services were at the scene a minute later,the two-story wood-frame house was fully engulfted in flames, and it was impossible to enter the house. to rescue those trapped inside Firefighters had the blaze under control by 4:40 a.m.  

The five victims who were hospitalized made their way out on their own, including one who jumped out of a second-story window. 

Six local fire departments were at the scene, and others were on standby. 

The cause of the house fire is still under investigation.

Chevra Kadisha was not required to assist with this tragedy.