Tenants in the apartment where the blaze broke out left their fire-proof door open and so flames quickly spread and smoke filled the hallways.

At least 16 people were hurt in an early morning fire in Brooklyn, and smoke-filled hallways made it hard to breathe, forcing residents to escape through windows or off fire escapes.A 42-year-old man and two children -- boys ages 5 and 5 months -- were critically injured after being overcome by smoke in an attempt to escape the building.

Investigators say a fire broke out on the second floor of the seven-story building on 65 Bay 19th St. just before 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday. Footage shows windows completely shattered, hallways and walls charred and water flooding the main lobby.