Three die in 'hell' of Houston office-building fire

Story Highlights

• Blaze broke out at 5:16 p.m. in six-story building in Houston, Texas
• Three people found dead at scene
• Several people backed down fire truck's ladder to safety

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HOUSTON, Texas (CNN) -- Three people were killed and at least seven were injured Wednesday in a four-alarm fire at an office building in northeast Houston, authorities said.

The blaze broke out at 5:16 p.m. (6:16 p.m. ET) on the top two floors of the six-story building, according to the Houston Fire Department.

The three people were found dead at the scene, said HFD Assistant Chief Tommy Dowdy.

The scene inside the building was "hell -- hot and dark," Sr. Capt. Ray Flannelly told CNN affiliate KPRC. "You could not believe it." (Watch firefighters brave the inferno )

Firefighters battled the blaze not knowing how many people were inside, officials said. They conducted floor-to-floor searches.

Firefighters used thermal-imaging equipment to help locate people in the thick smoke, KPRC reported.

Several people were rescued from inside the burning building, some of them backing slowly down a fire truck's ladder from the upper floors. Three civilians and four firefighters were transported to a hospital, the fire department said in a statement.

The cause of the blaze has not been revealed. The building is believed to have housed up to 21 businesses.

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