Peoria house fire ruled arson by investigators

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) -- Peoria Fire Department Investigators determined arson to be the cause of a house fire in Peoria on Saturday.

Firefighters initially responded to the scene of a fire near West Ann Street and South Western Avenue at 12:15 p.m., Battalion Chief Josh Maroney said.

Crews saw heavy smoke and flames coming from the home. Firefighters aggressively attacked the fire and saw it was mostly concentrated in a front bedroom. The fire was mostly extinguished within 15 minutes.

A fire investigator along with arson K9 Molly responded to the scene and determined the cause of the fire to be arson.

The home was vacant at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported. The fire caused an estimated $100,000 in damages.