Officials believe the fire at 1112 Spring St. started in the back patio area and spread into the single-family home's attic.

None of the residents were home when the alarm sounded at 6:38 p.m. Thursday, Bristol Kendall Fire Protection District Chief Michael Hitzemann said. No one had been in the house for at least 90 minutes, but wind could have contributed to the fire's origin. Officials have found no signs of foul play, he said.

"We are still struggling to figure out what caused it," Hitzemann said Friday morning. "We are still investigating it.”

Crews worked until about 11 p.m. Thursday. The American Red Cross provided immediate help for the family, and the insurance company representatives stepped up, Hitzemann said.

Early estimates placed the loss at $200,000.

“Very little stuff inside burnt, but it’s all heavy smoke and water damage because we had a pretty healthy fire in the attic," Hitzemann said. "If you spray water in the attic, it’s going to go down.”