Halifax Regional Police say seven people are dead as a result of an overnight fire on Quartz Drive in Spryfield, SooToday reports.

"All deceased are believed to be young children from the same family," said Cst. John MacLeod in a news release.

Two people were hurt and have been taken to hospital. A man has life-threatening injuries and a woman has non-life threatening injuries.

Emergency crews were called to the home just before 1 a.m. Monday to find the fire on the first and second floors.

Police have scheduled a news conference for 1 p.m.

The top level of the home has been extensively damaged with substantial gaps visible in the roof and second floor of the building.

There also appears to be damage to the homes on either side in the newly built residential neighbourhood.

Halifax District Fire Chief Mike Blackburn said the fire was very heavy when they arrived, but firefighters were able to "knock it down" quickly.

He wouldn't discuss the number of deaths, but suggested fire fighters were deeply affected by what they saw.

"They'll process this over time but it's very difficult and it's not going to get any easier."

At this time, there is no information available about a cause of the blaze.

Police are asking people to stay out of the area to allow emergency personnel to do their jobs.

The investigation is continuing, and the street has been closed to both pedestrian and vehicular traffic.