DIXFIELD – On Thursday morning, a state fire investigator examined the scene of Wednesday’s house fire on Route 2, but failed to determine how the blaze began.

“The cause will be officially undetermined’ unless more information comes in,” Dixfield fire Chief Scott Dennett said late Thursday afternoon of the fire at the home of Boyd and Pam Wilkins of 1124 Main St., also called Route 2.

State Fire Marshal investigator Chris Stanford could not be reached for comment but has yet to close the investigation, Dennett said.

The fire, which caused an estimated $50,000 to $60,000 in damage, started outside the insured 1-story home, near a shed beside the house, Dennett said Wednesday afternoon.

The couple’s daughters, ages 11 and 13, and a family dog, who were inside while their parents were at work or on the way to work, escaped unharmed, Dennett said.

Their young son was with a baby sitter at another residence at the time of the fire, he said Thursday.

The family of five is staying with family in the area.