Two men died and another was seriously burned early Thursday when a fire raced through a two-story Pasadena home where elderly residents rented rooms.

Flames and heavy smoke quickly engulfed the building following an apparent explosion that was reported about 2:15 a.m. at the home in the 1300 block of El Sereno Avenue, officials said. The fire and thick smoke sent 16 residents scrambling for safety.

Neighbor Felix Palumbo said he heard two loud bangs, resembling fireworks, and went out onto the street to see the flames tearing through the front of the structure. "It happened fast," he said.

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