YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, Westchester County (WABC) --
Two people were killed early Monday in a house fire in Westchester County.
The victims are believed to be an elderly couple.
The property records show that Helen C Ginman, 70 and Jeffrey Ginman, 74 live on that property.
The fire broke out inside the home on Central Street in Yorktown Heights just before 3 a.m.
The residents were reported to be trapped inside, but firefighters could not reach them due to the heavy flames.
The identities of the victims have not yet been released.
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YORKTOWN - A man and woman were killed when fire roared through a house early today. The property records show that Helen C Ginman, 70 and Jeffrey Ginman, 74 live on that property.
Firefighters were alerted to the blaze at 1703 Central St. just before 3 a.m. by a neighbor who reported that people were trapped inside, Yorktown police said.
"It just looked like an explosion, like just brightness and flames. Just a horror," said Marina Veatch, the neighbor, who lives across the street and said she saw flames shooting through the roof of the house.
"Upon initial arrival we had heavy fire through the roof," Yorktown Heights Fire Chief Jason Swart said, adding, "It was visible from almost across the downtown area."
Police said the man and woman, occupants of the home, died in the blaze, but released no other information on the victims. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but authorities said it does not appear to be suspicious.
Another neighbor, Chau Vo, who lives next door to Veatch, said he tried to help police officers break down the door of the burning house, but that it wouldn't open until firefighters arrived. He said could see flames, mostly in the rear of the house.
"I feel bad because that's my neighbor", Veatch said. "I did my best, but..."
Firefighters also made several attempts to enter the house but were driven back by heavy fire, and the roof started collapsing.
One firefighter suffered a minor injury, Swart said.
Aftermath of an early morning house fire that killed two people at 1703 Central St. in Yorktown, Monday, April 10, 2017. (Photo: Matt Spillane/The Journal News)
Flames tore through the roof, leaving a large hole in the ranch style home located just off Moseman Avenue. A car parked in the driveway did not appear to be damaged.
Yorktown firefighters battle an early morning house fire at 1703 Central St. in Yorktown April 10, 2017. Firefighters from Croton, Bedford Hills, Millwood, Buchanan and Mohegan Lake assisted at the scene. (Photo: Frank Becerra Jr./The Journal News)
Firefighters stopped putting water on the fire around 6:20 a.m. but remained at the scene until shortly after 8 a.m.
Firefighters from Bedford Hills, Croton, Millwood, Mohegan Lake and Buchanan assisted at the scene, as well as Yorktown Ambulance Corps. Mount Kisco firefighters staffed Yorktown Fire Headquarters during the blaze.