ORRINGTON, Maine (AP) -- Three children and a man died in a fire early Saturday at a rural home in Maine, but the children's mother escaped from the burning house and was taken to a hospital, authorities said.

It wasn't clear what caused the fire, but the house "was heavily involved upon our arrival," Orrington Assistant Fire Chief Scott Stewart said. He said the Cape Cod-style wood home was severely damaged.

The identities of the victims weren't released. The man who died was believed to be in his 30s, and the children ranged in ages from four to eight-years-old, a fire official at the scene told the Bangor Daily News.

The mother was treated for smoke inhalation, said spokesman Steve McCausland of the state Public Safety Department.

The fire was reported a little after 2:30am, he said.

Stewart said the home was in a rural area of Orrington, a town of about 3,900 residents that serves as a bedroom community to Bangor six miles to the north.

The state fire marshal's office was investigating, McCausland said.