PLAINFIELD, N.H. (AP) – Firefighters recovered four bodies from a house destroyed by a fire early Wednesday.

Neighbors said a family of four lived in the home. They heard an explosion around 1:35 a.m. Four minutes later, emergency personnel arrived, but the house was already engulfed in flames. Only the chimney remained standing.

“It was so far gone that we didn’t stand a chance,” Fire Chief David Best said.

Investigators said the identities of the victims would not be released until autopsies are performed Thursday, but the New Hampshire Union Leader’s Web site, UnionLeader.com, said the home was occupied by Lee and Michele Putnam and their two sons.

One of two family dogs in the house also was found.

The post-and-beam house was described as being more than 100 years old.

The home overlooked Kimball Union Academy in the Meriden village of Plainfield.

Investigators were trying to figure out what caused the fire, but said there were no signs of foul play.

“There was nothing to get inside of,” Best said. “Basically, it was on the ground before the first engine got there.”

“We’re going to be checking to see if there were working smoke detectors, wood stoves, if there were any candles. Things like that,” said John Raymond, deputy state fire marshal. “We’ll try to rule out all the causes.”