An elderly man is dead after a fire broke out in an apartment in the Bronx Thursday.

Firefighters say they arrived at 1755 Taylor Avenue about 2:30 p.m. and found flames in the kitchen of a third-floor apartment. Although the fire was controlled in 15 minutes, the fire had already spread to other apartment units. Firefighters say up to five families are now homeless.Residents complain that firefighters took up to 25 minutes to get to the scene, but FDNY officials defend the response time. The cause of the fire is under investigation.