SKOWHEGAN — One person died in a fire that destroyed a home Tuesday night.

Investigative efforts were just beginning, State Fire Marshal Shawn Esler said at the scene around 7 p.m., about two hours after the fire broke out. Officials were not prepared to release information about the person who died.

Family members of those who lived at the home at 31 Waye St., some of whom also live in the neighborhood, said a woman and her daughter live there.

Crews responded around 5 p.m. to the blaze, Skowhegan fire Chief Ryan Johnston said. Police officers had arrived on scene initially, Skowhegan police Chief David Bucknam said.

“The captain, as he pulled out of the station, saw a large amount of black smoke,” Johnston said in an interview on scene as crews  began to leave the scene while others worked to put out remaining hot spots in the charred remains of the single-story home. “He immediately struck a second alarm as they were on the way here.”

Firefighters found the front of the house fully engulfed in flames, Johnston said.

They made a “valiant effort” to try to locate a person inside, who was later found dead, the chief said.

He was unsure if there were any other injuries reported. Some people nearby were trying to assist extinguishing the fire when crews arrived, Johnston said.

The home was completely destroyed.

The Office of State Fire Marshal was investigating the cause, Johnston said. Several fire investigators arrived on scene shortly after 6 p.m.

Esler expected his office would be able to share more information late Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning. He offered his condolences to the family of the person who died.

Mutual aid came from the Athens, Canaan, Clinton, Cornville, Fairfield-Benton, Madison and Waterville fire departments, according to Johnston. Several Skowhegan police officers and detectives were on scene, too, along with Redington-Fairview General Hospital ambulances.

Waye Street is on Skowhegan’s north side, off North Avenue, also known as Route 150.