Victims identified in deadly fire at Atlanta home

ATLANTA - The Fulton County Medical Examiner's Officer has released the names of four victims who died in a fire at a boarding home in northwest Atlanta. 

The victims have been identified as Gene Spurley, 62, Velma Rivers, 46, Anthony Jones, 49, and 54-year-old Anthony Brown. Two other people also died in the blaze.

Authorities said the fire broke out around 5 a.m. Monday in the 1400 block of Andrews Street NW. 

Neighbors told us flames were seen shooting up into the sky. Firefighters said they raced to get to back bedrooms as the fire spread, but weren't able to immediately enter the home due to the structure being unstable. .

FOX 5 spoke with homeowner Ernest Eberhardt's cousin who told us he rented out rooms to help people in need.

App users: watch video here

Fire officials said there was no rear exit in the four bedroom home, which could have been a factor in the victims being unable to escape.

Family members of Eberhardt said he allowed people to stay at his home. They said he cared deeply about people.