The fire chief says the incident could have been a lot worse if all of the two dozen or so people gathered at the home on Cumberland Street were standing on the deck when part of it gave way Friday night.

The cause of Sunday morning’s blaze at 21 Temple St. is under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

The police chief says Sue Ellen Randall’s ex-husband was helping deliver flooring when he stepped on the pickup truck’s accelerator instead of its brake.