No injuries were reported following a house fire in Peterborough, Ont., early Saturday which is now an arson investigation.
According to Peterborough Fire Services acting platoon chief Pat Caskanette around 12:15 a.m., crews responded to a report from a passerby of a possible structure fire on Margaret Avenue.
On arrival, firefighters found smoke billowing from a home.
Caskanette says the 17 firefighters on scene initiated a search of the home and began an “aggressive” interior fire attack.
No one was located inside.
An early damage estimate is at $800,000, said Caskanette.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the fire department, fire prevention and the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal.
UPDATE Monday, Jan. 29.
The Peterborough Police Service on Monday morning reported the home had just been sold and was empty at the time.
Officers canvassed the area on Saturday.
Police report the OFM has determined the fire is suspicious in nature and are treating the incident as arson.
Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Const. Mark Jilesen at 705-876-1122 ext. 285 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.stopcrimehere.ca.