Three children died in an early morning blaze in a north Minneapolis duplex Friday, officials said.

Five others were taken to hospitals, said Fire Chief John Fruetel.

The fire broke out around 5 a.m. on the 2800 block of Colfax Avenue N., the chief said.

Flames consumed the second and third floors soon after fire crews arrived.

Fire fighters entered the structure under "very, very, very precarious situations." the fire chief said.

"This is a tragic day for the city of Minneapolis," Mayor Betsy Hodges said at the scene shortly after 7:30 a.m. "This is a tragic day for north Minneapolis" and for the neighborhood and the families involved, she said.

The fire initially was reported as heavy smoke in the area, Fruetel said during a news briefing at the scene. When crews arrived, "they found heavy smoke on the first, second and third floors. That quickly changed to heavy fire on the second and third floors," he said.

There were 15 people living in the duplex Fruetel said.

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Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482