Youngstown Fire Chief Barry Finely has revealed what he believes to be a contributing factor to a fire that claimed the life of a 5-year-old boy.

During a Monday afternoon news conference, Chief Finley said the family did not have any heat in their home and were using space heaters to heat the entire home.

Chief Finley said while the exact cause of the fire has not officially been determined, he believes the use of space heaters to have been a contributing factor to the fire.

The flames broke out at a home on North Maryland Avenue, just north of Mahoning Avenue at around 6 a.m. Sunday.

Crews arrived to find smoke pouring from the second floor. A representative from the Ohio State Fire Marshal's Office tells 21 News there was adult female and six children in the home including a 5-year-old boy.

Chief Finley told 21 News the boy was not sleeping at the time of the fire, but was hiding because he was afraid.

Firefighters brought the child out and medics took the victim to the hospital where he passed away. According to the Ohio State Fire Marshal's Office, the remaining occupants were also taken to the hospital with the adult woman being admitted for injuries.

It is unclear how severe her injuries were, but Chief Finley said these injuries were sustained when she jumped off of a back porch to escape from the fire.

Authorities have not yet released the child's name.

In the meantime, Chief Finley advised that space heaters should never be used as a source of heat for an entire home, as this is a fire hazard.