DAYTON, Ohio -- Four people managed to escape a duplex early Wednesday morning after flames tore through the structure.

The fire happened around 2:30 a.m. in the 700 block of North Broadway Street in Dayton.

IMAGES: N. Broadway Duplex Fire

Fire officials arrived at the scene and saw flames shooting from the structure. They said the four occupants of the duplex had already safely left the duplex.

Authorities said as firefighters were working on putting the flames out, they were forced to pull out of the structure because of the dangerous conditions.

Fire officials said they believe that the fire started in a freezer that was in an enclosed porch near the kitchen in the back of the duplex. They said the flames spread fast and went into the attic.

According to firefighters, they are not sure how much damage was done, but they believe it may be a total loss.

Fire investigators said the fire may have been a result of a short circuit with the freezer.