One man is dead and another person injured after  a fire broke out shortly before 6 p.m. in a multi-family home on Prospect Street in downtown Bristol.

Bristol Fire Chief Michael DeMello said they arrived to find a heavy fire in the rear of the building and one person outside the building who was injured and trying to get inside to help the person trapped within. The first person was immediately treated and transported to Rhode Island Hospital,.

Firefigfhters were able to knock down the flames and reach the victim within minutes, but it was too late.  The chief said he believes the mostly one-level building was divided into a three-family home.

"The fire was in a couple of rooms, but within a few minutes of pulling lines, we had it knocked down really quickly," the chief said.

The victim was taken to Newport Hospital and pronounced dead.

"It’s traumatic for everyone, not only the victims and their families, but also the first responders," the chief said.

He said the cause of the fire is under investigation by the Rhode Island Fire Marshal's Office.

Later that night, firefighters, police and fire marshal personnel, were still at the scene determining the cause of the fire. Neighbors gathered outdoors and spoke quietly while firefighters worked.  A resident of the house was treated in a Red Cross mobile unit. 

"It’s a reminder of how fast fire moves," the chief said. "This is why we keep preaching to check your smoke detector batteries and take preventive measures."