Washington, March 21 (IANS): Fire broke out in a house in New York, killing seven children and injuring another on Saturday, according to media reports.

A woman, believed to the mother of the children, was injured in the fire at the house in Brooklyn, CNN reported, citing police and the fire department.

The fire burned the first and second floors of the house, located near the Brooklyn College, the New York Fire Department said on Twitter.

The flames, reported after midnight, were brought under control before 1.30 a.m.

The accident apparently started with a hot plate that was being used to keep food warm, which had been left on in the kitchen, New York Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said.

A malfunction occurred with the hot plate, leading to the fire, he told reporters, adding that there was nothing suspicious about the fire.

The children were between five to 15 years of age and were all found in their bedrooms.

"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 our city."

The woman and her daughter who survived the accident saved themselves by jumping out of the windows, according to Nigro. They were in a critical condition at a hospital.

The authorities are having trouble reaching out to the father of the children who was not at home at the time of the accident.