6 dead in New York City building fire

NEW YORK, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Six people died and seven were injured after a fire tore through a building in New York City early Thursday morning, authorities said.

The fire broke out just before 1:40 a.m. local time (0640 GMT) at a two-story residential building in Brooklyn's Sunset Park neighborhood, officials from the New York Fire Department said. It was brought under control in about three hours.

Four people were pronounced dead at the scene. Two others died after being transported to the hospital, according to authorities.

The wounded included four residents and three firefighters.

Officials said the blaze appeared to have started on the second floor before spreading throughout the building.

A lithium-ion battery was found at the scene, but it was unclear whether it caused the fire, the fire department said. An investigation is under way.