LEWISTON – Fire investigators were back on Highland Avenue on Thursday to search for the cause of a Wednesday afternoon fire that burned a family of four out of their home.

Lewiston fire investigators were joined by the State Fire Marshal’s Office and Lewiston police.

A cat perished in the fire. An 11-year-old boy who was home when the fire started escaped to safety. The boy lived in the Cape Cod-style house with his parents, Walter and Patricia Sturgis, and a sister.

Investigators said Thursday there were indications that the fire started outside the house. They used sniffing dogs around the burned building as the investigation progressed.

The house was a total loss, with damages estimated at more than $200,000.