WORCESTER, Mass. -- A four-alarm fire this weekend in Worcester has claimed the lives of four people.

The fire broke out at a six-family, three-decker home at 2 Gage St. around 3:30 a.m. on Saturday morning.

During the initial search, firefighters found two victims early Saturday afternoon. At 8 a.m. on Monday, they found a third victim and at 1:30 p.m. a fourth victim was discovered.

“This has been an extremely difficult weekend for our residents, the families of the victims and all of our first responders,” City Manager Ed Augustus said Monday during a press conference at City Hall. “The City of Worcester offers our deepest condolences to the victims’ families and loved ones.”

The Worcester Fire Department was on scene all weekend long, doing a full search of the residence. The structural integrity of the building made it difficult to complete the search Saturday. 

The search continued into Monday with help from the Worcester Police Department, ATF Boston, Auburn fire and rescue, the Massachusetts State Police, Massachusetts Department of Fire Services and others. 

Acting Fire Chief Martin Dyer said fire companies arrived at the scene on Gage Street within three minutes of being dispatched. About one hour into the fire, the three-decker collapsed and a fourth alarm was rang.

Four residents were transported to the hospital by UMass EMS with injuries, including one resident who jumped or fell from a third-floor window.

“This is a sad reminder of the devastation of fire and the need for proactive action, including working smoke alarms and a practiced escape plan,” Dyer said. 

Investigators working the scene on Sunday morning were made aware of snakes being kept in one apartment, resulting in Animal Control arriving to remove several snakes from the scene.

Dyer said they would not identify the victims until they’ve contacted next of kin.

The fire remains under investigation by the Worcester Fire Investigation Unit, the Worcester Police Department, and Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.’s office.

The American Red Cross is working to assist families displaced by the fire.