Seven children died early Saturday in a fire in Brooklyn which may have been caused by a malfunctioning hot plate, authorities said.

The incident took place in a heavily Jewish neighboorhood.

Commissioner Daniel Nigro said the deceased range in age from 5 to 15 years old. He said a woman and teenager survived after jumping from the second floor, AFP reported. The woman is believed to be the mother of all eight children, Nigro said.

"This is the largest tragedy by fire that this city has had in seven years," Nigro said. "It's a tragedy for this family, it's a tragedy for this community, it's a tragedy for the city."

The children's father apparently was away during the fire, Nigro said. Authorities did not release the names of the children.