PHILADELPHIA — A home fire apparently caused by an exploding kerosene heater killed seven people, most of whom were found huddled together in the basement, a survivor and firefighters said.

Those killed in the Friday night blaze were four adults and three children, including a 1-year-old, who was cradled in the arms of another victim.

Four people survived the fire, which broke out around 10:45 p.m. at a three-story brick duplex in a working-class neighborhood in the southwest section of the city, close to the Philadelphia International Airport, fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers said.

Harris Murphy, who lives down the street, said he was visiting people in the home when the fire erupted.

Murphy, 35, recounted his tale after returning from a hospital wearing a hospital gown and bandages on his right hand and head. He said a woman at the home had tried to pour fuel into a kerosene heater but it got too hot and she tried to carry it outside.

"The whole thing exploded," he said.

Fire marshals were investigating the cause of the fire and interviewing Murphy while the victims' bodies were being removed.