A single-alarm fire late Wednesday killed four people, whose bodies were found in separate rooms inside an East Baltimore rowhouse. Their identities, genders and relationships were not immediately available, but at least one was elderly, said Chief Kevin Cartwright, a Fire Department spokesman.

Cartwright said the incident is the city's first fatal fire this year and that its cause is under investigation.

One person was found in a second-floor front room, another in the rear of the house, and the third and fourth in other sections of the house in the 1600 block of E. Oliver St.

Reported at 11:10 p.m., the blaze filled much of the dwelling with smoke before firefighters were able to beat back flames. Firefighters were told not to attack the fire from the roof because it was unstable.

During the blaze, firefighters received reports that at least one elderly person might be trapped. Firefighters went floor to floor, and found the victims within minutes. The fire was declared under control in less than an hour.

- Richard Irwin