Fire damaged a New Rochelle home this morning.

Fire officials say flames broke out in the kitchen on the second floor around 9 a.m. at the home on 4th Street and Union Avenue. 

The homeowner tells News 12 that he lives there with his wife, daughter and granddaughter.  He says he went to the bank this morning and when he returned the house was in flames. “It was a mess...a lot of damage to the house. I’m happy no one else was home, but I am sad about the house. I have no idea what I am going to do next,” says homeowner Noe Merlo.

Fire officials say this could have been a lot worse given the close proximity to other homes. "The guys did a great job, another crew stretching the line to keep fire from spreading. It was very aggressive, but they knocked it down pretty quick," says New Rochelle Deputy Chief Scott Bradley.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, but officials do not believe it is suspicious.