At least four firefighters have been shot, two of them killed, while responding to a house fire in the state of New York, authorities said.
Officials in the town of Webster, around 340 miles (550 km) northwest of New York City, said "one or more shooters" opened fire as the firefighters arrived at blaze around 6am on Monday.
Sheriff Patrick O'Flynn said there were no active shooters at the scene at 10am, according to the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.
Webster fire marshal Rob Boutillier said it was not clear whether any additional firefighters were shot.
The fire spread to a total of three homes near the Lake Ontario shore, and all were still burning.
A man answering the phone at the fire station said firefighters are unable to battle the blazes until police secure the area.
The neighbourhood's residents were being evacuated and searched by police, and a SWAT team was on the scene.
Officials in the town of Webster, around 340 miles (550 km) northwest of New York City, said "one or more shooters" opened fire as the firefighters arrived at blaze around 6am on Monday.
Sheriff Patrick O'Flynn said there were no active shooters at the scene at 10am, according to the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.
Webster fire marshal Rob Boutillier said it was not clear whether any additional firefighters were shot.
The fire spread to a total of three homes near the Lake Ontario shore, and all were still burning.
A man answering the phone at the fire station said firefighters are unable to battle the blazes until police secure the area.
The neighbourhood's residents were being evacuated and searched by police, and a SWAT team was on the scene.