Five people were killed in a house fire in Paterson Friday night, the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office says.

The two-alarm fire happened at a home on Emerson Avenue at 9:50 p.m.

Officials say a 39-year-old man, a 38-year-old woman and three children ages 14, 12 and 7 all died at the scene. Their identities have not been released. A neighbor says the victims were a family.

Two firefighters were also hospitalized following the blaze, according to prosecutors.

Neighbors say the fire started in the backyard of the home. They say there were 12 people in the house at the time – seven on the first floor and the five victims on the second floor.

The Red Cross is assisting the displaced. The cause of the fire was not immediately clear.

Mayor Andre Sayeh says the victims, especially the father, were prominent members of Palestinian community. He said State Assemblyman Al Abdelaziz is related to at least one of the victims.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the prosecutor's office at 1-877-370-7276 or at tips@passaiccountynj.org. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through their website