iStock/Thinkstock(BALTIMORE) — One body has been recovered and five children are missing after a fire tore through a home in Baltimore, Maryland, early Thursday morning, officials said.

The blaze started at the three-story home in northeast Baltimore just after midnight, Roman Clark of the Baltimore City Fire Department told ABC News.

Three children and their mother managed to escape the blaze and are in the hospital.

Clark initially said six children were missing, and later said one body had been recovered, as rescue crews scoured the scene Thursday morning.

The search for the others was temporarily stopped until the medical examiner arrives to recover the remains. Then, the search will resume, Clark said. The home’s third floor collapsed into the second floor, making the search difficult, Clark said.

Of the four people who escaped the home, the mother and two of the children are in the hospital in critical condition, Clark said. The third child is in good condition, Clark said.

The ages of the missing and hospitalized children range from 8 months to 11, Clark said.

Authorities did not identify the woman, but Maryland Rep. Elijah Cummings said the fire involved one of his staff members, Katie Malone, “and her young family.”

“I am asking that our entire community pray for my staff member, Katie Malone, and her young family. Katie has worked as a Special Assistant in my Catonsville office for nearly 11 years where she dutifully serves my constituents in the areas of immigration, postal services, and the military, including Service Academy nominations,” Cummings said in a statement. “My staff is a family and this unimaginable tragedy is shocking and heartbreaking to us all.”

Authorities said the rescued woman is believed to be the mother of all nine children.

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