(BSS/AFP) - Two people have been found dead inside a burned-out apartment block in Switzerland and several others are missing, police said Saturday.

The blaze broke out Thursday night in a building housing a restaurant and residential flats in Thusis in eastern Switzerland.

"Two bodies were found inside the building," police in Graubunden canton said in a statement, adding that "identification of the deceased is still pending".

They added that others remained missing, but did not provide a number.

On Friday, police had said that five people were missing after the fire, which broke out shortly after midnight, "entirely burned" the building.

"The stairwell collapsed, so the roof of the building had to be opened with a crane," that statement said.

Fourteen people managed to escape the burning building, eight of whom were injured, including two in serious condition, it added.

A photo released by the police showed a multi-story apartment building engulfed in smoke with flames shooting out of several windows on the upper floor and into the night sky, setting the roof ablaze.

Police said Saturday that various emergency services and specialists involved in investigating the cause of the fire remained on site.

"The building is still at risk of collapse, which is hindering the investigation and recovery efforts," the statement said.