WEST GARDINER — A young child set a fire that damaged a Skehan Lane home on Friday, according to fire ivestigators.

Sgt. Joel Davis of the State Fire Marshal’s Office said investigators determined the fire inside the 12 Skehan Lane home was set by a child inside a closet. Officials would not give more information on the age of the child.

Davis offered no additional details, including how the fire was set, but he said criminal charges are not expected in the case. The child may undergo fire safety training, Davis said.

A family of four escaped without injuries when the fire broke out around 8:30 a.m.

The mother and four children who share the home where the fire broke out were outside when firefighters arrived, according to West Gardiner Fire Chief Chris McLaughlin. A woman who lives in the other half of the duplex was still inside when firefighters arrived and crews escorted her from the home.

The mother and children — whose ages weren’t made public — are staying with a family member, McLaughlin said.

McLaughlin said the bedroom where the fire started sustained significant damage and the room’s contents were lost.

The woman who lives in the other half of the building was allowed to return to her home.

Firefighters had the flames out less than 10 minutes after they arrived on scene, McLaughlin said.

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