EVERETT, Mass. -- An elderly woman has died and her brother is in critical condition Wednesday night after a two-alarm fire raged through their house in Everett.

Crews were called to 8 Blake Terrace in Everett at about 9:20 p.m., where the woman was trapped inside, confined to her bed, according to neighbors who said they know the family well. Firefighters rescued the woman's brother, who cared for her and also lived at the house.

Firefighters, who were able to extinguish the flames by 11 p.m., said they believe the fire started at the front of the house before quickly gutting the rest of the structure.

A Massachusetts State Police K-9 sergeant was the first to arrive at the scene. He opened the front door but was quickly overcome by smoke. He was unable to get inside.

Witnesses said neighbors tried to go into the house to rescue the victims, but the flames were too great.

"My elderly neighbor ... nicest people you'll meet," said Dave Donnelly, who lives across the street. "I tried to go in the front, I couldn't go in the front -- the flames were hitting me in the face. Me and another guy went in the back to try to kick in the rear door but it wouldn't open."

The fire chief called Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria Jr. to the scene. The brother and sister are close friends of DeMaria's family.

A cause remains under investigation. Authorities did not immediately release the identities of the victims.

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