The building had no elevator, The Associated Press reported, citing city records. Fire escapes were visible on the facade of the building. The fire department responded to emergency calls within three minutes. Witnesses described the scene of the fire and the panic from the building's tenants. Xanral Collins, Xanral Collins, told the New York Post Xanral Collins saw a father running toward the building, but was unable to enter. I saw Xanral Collins screaming,' My babies are dead ! My babies are dead !' Xanral Collins said. Jamal Flicker, Jamal Flicker told the New York Post Jamal Flicker heard screams for help. The smoke was crazy, people screaming,' Get out ! Jamal Flicker said. I heard a woman yelling,' We're trapped, help !' Neighborhood resident Robert Gonzalez, who has a friend who lives in the building, told the Associated Press she got out on a fire escape as another resident fled with five children. When I got here, she was crying, Robert Gonzalez said. Kwabena Mensah told the Daily News Kwabena Mensah feared Kwabena Mensah son, Kwabena Mensah, Kwabena Mensah, was one of the victims of the devastating fire. Kwabena Mensah came home from the Army about a week ago for the holidays, Kwabena Mensah said. Kwabena Mensah said Kwabena Mensah son’s roommate saw Kwabena Mensah before the fire broke out in the building. Kwabena Mensah was telling the roommate to not come out of the apartment because there was smoke. But when they rescued everyone from the windows, we couldn't find Kwabena Mensah. I went to four hospitals, I can't find Kwabena Mensah.