The flames broke out around 10:30 p.m. Thursday inside a six-story apartment building at 2700 Grand Concourse in the Kingsbridge Heights section.
The fire was contained to one apartment, but the victims were unable to escape and were found in a back bedroom on the top floor. They have been identified only as a 49-year-old man and a 44-year-old man, both Hispanic. Their names are being withheld until their family is notified.
Three firefighters also suffered minor injuries battling the intense flames. Responders reportedly had a tough time getting water onto the fire and had to stretch hoses quite a distance.
Several residents were forced to evacuate down their fire escapes. Some tried to warn others before fleeing.
"I called out to my family first, and then I went to try and touch on the door," resident Stephanie Ortiz said. "But it was too hot. So I called on my other neighbors, got my brothers ready and headed downstairs."
Authorites say there were no working smoke detectors in the home.
