Cause sought in 4-alarm blaze

9 escape injury in house fire in Dorchester

Nine people, including six children, escaped unharmed from the second and third floors of this heavily damaged house in a four-alarm fire at Powellton Road yesterday. (David Kamerman/ Globe Staff)

Fire officials are investigating the cause of a four-alarm fire that badly damaged a large Dorchester house early yesterday morning.

Authorities said they believe the predawn fire started on the front porch of the three-story house, but said the cause remains undetermined.

"Nothing has been ruled in or out," said Boston Fire Department spokesman Steve MacDonald.

Nine people, including six children, escaped unharmed from the second and third floors of the home at 28 Powellton Road, MacDonald said. Neighbors said the residents moved in less than two weeks ago, after the house had undergone months of renovations.

The first floor was unoccupied.

The fire broke out shortly after 4 a.m., awakening many residents in the thickly settled neighborhood, just off Columbia Road.

"We heard all the crackling and the burning, and we called 911 right away," said Jose Morales, 37, who lives down the street. "The house just burst into flames."

More than a dozen fire engines responded to the scene, lining the narrow streets around the house, neighbors said. About 100 firefighters took several hours to subdue the fire, which authorities estimated caused $250,000 in damage.

One firefighter was treated for burns at a city hospital and released.

Later yesterday morning, investigators were examining the gutted front porch, snapping pictures of its charred, collapsed beams. The fire ravaged the two stories above the porch, causing the second floor to partially collapse, but did not extend to other parts of the house or other houses.

Neighbors said the residents dashed out of the house in their pajamas and bare feet, and huddled together as they watched the home burn. Neighbors brought them blankets, clothes, and shoes, Morales said.

"They were scared, but they were OK," Morales said. "Everyone got out in time. That's the good thing. They were very lucky."

Family of the displaced residents arrived at the scene during the fire, neighbors said, hugging them in relief. The Red Cross is assisting the families, MacDonald said.

Peter Schworm can be reached at schworm@globe.com.