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Four children and two adults are dead after a house fire erupted in Charles County, Maryland, Sunday morning.

There were a total of nine people linked to the house, according to officials. Of the survivors, two people managed to get out of the home and two others were not there when the blaze broke out.

Although the cause of the fire remains under investigation, Master Deputy State Fire Marshal Oliver Alkire said the fire originated on the right side of the home within an enclosed porch.

Heavy machinery was going to be brought to the scene to help remove debris Sunday afternoon.

Reporting from the scene, WTOP’s Jimmy Alexander said “the house was engulfed in flames, and (fire officials) said it took them over an hour to get the fire in under control.”

The Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department and several surrounding departments initially responded to the 3000 block of Declaration Court North around 8:40 a.m. for reports of a dwelling fire with a reported entrapment.

Crews from the Charles County Volunteer Fire and Emergency Medical Services and officials from the Deputy State Fire Marshals and Charles County Sheriff’s Office are on the scene, continuing to search for more victims.

Over 70 personnel were at the scene, Alexander said.

One firefighter had to be sent to the hospital for an emergency, as another first responder was treated at the scene.

The fire marshal said they were unsure if the home had smoke alarms, adding that the incident serves as a reminder to ensure locals have working alarms in their homes, Alexander reported.

The marshal also underscored that the public should have their own fire drills in their homes so everyone knows how to safely escape in emergencies.

WTOP’s Jimmy Alexander contributed to this report.

See a map of the location of the fire below: