Two firefighters die in burning building in Buffalo

Buffalo mourns loss of 2 firefighters

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Two firefighters die in burning building in Buffalo, New York

Mayor: "Today is a very tragic day in the city of Buffalo"

Firefighters responding to reports that person was trapped in building

Dead identified as

Lt. Charles "Chip" McCarthy, 45, and

Jonathan Croom, 34

(CNN) -- Flags were being lowered to half-staff Monday in Buffalo, New York, after two firefighters died inside a fire-engulfed building, city officials said.

The firefighters were responding to reports that at least one person was trapped in the building.

"Today is a very tragic day in the city of Buffalo," Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said at a news conference. "Our hearts are broken right now, and we are all saddened by this terrible tragedy."

The cause of the blaze is under investigation, and the remains of the building are being searched to determine if anyone else perished inside, Buffalo Fire Commissioner Michael Lombardo said.

Emergency officials received a call around 3:50 a.m. that "someone [was] banging on a wall and calling for help" from inside the burning building, Lombardo said. Video footage showed the top level of the two-story brick building fully engulfed in flames. A convenience store was on the building's first floor.
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Two firefighters die in burning building in Buffalo