DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — Officials have confirmed Wednesday that five bodies have been recovered at the scene of a deadly Dayton house fire.

This came hours after a first victim was found in the debris in what was believed to be a vacant house. Dayton Fire Department Director and Chief Jeff Lykins said that later firefighters learned that around 12 squatters have been seen going in and out of the house.

Fire officials said that they found the second victim on the basement level of the home. Lykins said the department does not anticipate to find more bodies and deconstructed the rest of the home.

Lykins said this may be the most victims found after a fire in Dayton Fire Department history.

“There’s no way to make this okay,” Lykins said. “It’s difficult for everybody. You know, I feel for our crews. It’s like I said, it’s a very difficult situation, and certainly for the entire community.”

Lykins said peer support will be made available for his firefighters and other crews that helped with the response.

INITIAL REPORT

Demolition came to a halt Wednesday after a body was found in the rubble of one of the homes involved in a massive fire.

The fire broke out between two buildings on Broadway Street, south of West Riverview Avenue, sometime before 4 a.m. on Wednesday, March 8.

District Chief Adam Landis with the Dayton Fire Department reported that heavy fire was seen coming from all three stories of the two buildings upon arrival.

Landis said firefighters initially attempted to attack the fire from inside and search the building, however, they were driven out due to the “high fire conditions, the high heat and the building started to collapse.” They were unable to complete their search before retreating.

The fire spread to a third building, but crews were able to determine that no one was inside.

Emergency demolition was been requested for two of the buildings. The third one sustained some roof damage but is able to be fixed, according to Landis.

Authorities said that crews began to demolish the first building when they discovered a body. The building itself was recorded to be vacant, however, people were reportedly seen entering and leaving the building in the past.

Crews brought in cadaver dogs to search the buildings before they can continue with demolition.

There is no word on what caused the fire at this time, and crews are continuing to investigate this incident.

Stay with 2 NEWS as this story develops.