BRONX APARTMENT FIRE LEAVES TWO DEAD, MULTIPLE INJURED AS BLAZE ENGULFS BUILDING AND ROOF COLLAPSES. (PHOTO).

 Bronx apartment fire leaves two dead, multiple injured as blaze engulfs building and roof collapses

 At least two people are dead, and more than a dozen others are injured after a fast-moving fire tore through a Bronx apartment building Tuesday afternoon, officials said.

The blaze broke out on East 187th Street between Belmont Avenue and Cambreleng Avenue in the Belmont neighborhood and quickly spread across multiple floors of a five-story residential building. Fire officials said the cause remains under investigation.

As the fire intensified, part of the roof collapsed, sending debris onto the sidewalk shortly after 4:30 p.m., officials said.

More than 230 firefighters and EMS personnel responded to the scene as flames and heavy smoke engulfed the building. Authorities said both fatalities occurred inside the apartment where the fire began.

In total, 11 people were injured. Two suffered serious injuries, while others had minor injuries or smoke inhalation. Five firefighters were also treated for minor injuries.

The building was evacuated, and emergency officials worked to account for residents and secure the area as crews continued to battle the fire.

Investigators from the Department of Buildings were dispatched to assess structural damage and the cause of the collapse. Police and fire units remained on scene as nearby streets were shut down due to the emergency response.