Five dead in US house fire

Fire ripped through a three-storey house near the Ohio State University campus early today, killing five people and injuring three others.

Some buildings were evacuated after the fire was reported at about 4am. in the neighbourhood where many university students live. Firefighters found some of the bodies on the second floor of the house.

One man was in a critical condition and two women were being evaluated at OSU Medical Centre, all with burns and smoke inhalation, spokesman Bob Fitzsimmons said.

Two firefighters were treated for minor injuries at Grant Medical Centre and released, a nursing supervisor said.

Identities of the victims were not yet released.