A fire raging through a Brooklyn residence has killed seven children and left two other people in critical condition, authorities say.

The dead children range from five to 15 years old and are believed to be family members, New York Fire Department spokesman Jim Long said, adding that more than 100 firefighters responded and brought the fire under control.

There was no immediate word on a cause.

The New York Post reported that firefighters worked to put out the fire as paramedics struggled to help the victims.

Neighbour Nate Weber said he heard the children’s mother yelling for help.

“I heard a woman yelling: ‘My kids are in there! Get them out! Get them out!”‘ he told the paper.