Five men likely were overcome by thick smoke and died in a fire at a home owned by their boss, who owned a Chinese restaurant, authorities said Monday, according to AP.

Autopsies and efforts to identify the men were ongoing, although the victims appeared to be from Mexico, based on documents and evidence. It isn't known how long the men, in their 20s and 30s, had lived in the home or worked at the Chinese restaurant, said David Molloy, public safety director in Novi, northwest of Detroit.

The men were found in a basement that had stairs to the first floor but windows made of glass block, which would prevent any escape in a sudden emergency, Molloy said.

Source: SPA