Six killed after fire rips through house in Maryland

Six people are dead after a fire ripped through a house in Charles County, Maryland.

Four children and two adults were killed, authorities said with another person escaping the blaze at the home in Waldorf, about 88km south of Baltimore.

It took about 70 firefighters more than an hour to control the flames, WTOP-TV reported. One firefighter was taken to hospital and another first responder was treated at the scene for unspecified injuries.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

Master Deputy State Fire Marshal Oliver Alkire said the blaze started on the right side of the home within an enclosed porch.

The ages and names of the victims were not released.

Alkire said officials didn't immediately know if the residence had working smoke alarms.