1 Person Dead In Early Morning Fire In Morristown

MORRISTOWN, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- One person was killed in an early-morning fire at a multifamily home in Morristown, New Jersey.

The blaze at 15 Pine St. was reported around 11:30 p.m. Monday, said Morristown fire Chief Robert Flanagan.

The fire swept through a business on the first floor and several apartments above. Flames and smoke could be seen pouring out of the building.

William Mailler, who lives across the street, said he was among those who called 911.

"I was working last night when I saw the fire come up and felt the heat from it from across the street and came outside and called 911 immediately," he told CBS2's Diane Macedo.

Flanagan said when firefighters arrived the front of the house was fully engulfed in flames.

One resident and a dog had to be rescued from the roof.

"We had a patrolman, actually two patrolmen, and a firefighter extend a ladder up to the roof," Flanagan said. "And the occupant then there came down by the ladder."

"The man handed his dog over to the cop to save the dog and then was rescued himself, and seemed quite shaken up by the whole incident," Mailler said.

But not everyone was so lucky. The Morris County Prosecutor's Office confirmed that one person did not survive.

Vincent Catizone came to see if his uncle, who owns the house, was among the victims.

"I only thought the worst, but I'm still praying for the best," he said.

The name of the victim has not been released.

Neighbors estimate 10 to 12 people lived in the building, which had a business on the main floor and apartments on the upper level. The business had just moved out of the building, and a new tenant was set to move in next month.

"I've seen families out on the porch enjoying themselves, and just a great group of people," said Charlotte Todd, who lives down the block.

There is no word yet on the condition of those people.

Fire officials spent then the morning collecting evidence, trying to piece together exactly what happened. The prosecutor's office is now investigating, Macedo reported.