WQOW TV: Eau Claire, WI NEWS18 News, Weather, and SportsUPDATE: Eau Claire Police join investigation into suspicious fire

UPDATE: Eau Claire Police join investigation into suspicious fire

Eau Claire (WQOW) - Police join the investigation into Sunday night's house fire near downtown Eau Claire.

An Eau Claire fire inspector was back at the scene Monday, looking over the burned out remains of the house on 2nd Avenue. Arson is suspected, because the house had been vacant for many years, and did not have gas or electricity. Fire officials say the fire started in the back of the house, on the first floor.

Police have already been getting calls and are conducting interviews.

Damage is estimated at $100,000.

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Eau Claire (Press Release) - Eau Claire Fire/Rescue responded to a reported structure fire on 2nd Ave. On arrival there was smoke coming from the roof line and a reported fire in a back room of the two story duplex. The duplex was vacant at the time of the fire.

Crews had to use saws to gain entry to the building. The fire extended into the walls and traveled to the attic. The fire broke through the roof on the rear of the house and a ladder truck was used to assist in that extinguishment. Crews were pulled out for safety reason and the fire was brought under control from the outside. Once the fire was under control crews re-entered to make final extinguishment. There were several hot spots in hard to reach areas. Parts of the home had saw dust for insulation.

The fire remains under investigation and investigators will return in the morning. Fire departments from Altoona and Township staffed their station to cover other calls in the city. There were no injuries as a result of the fire. The last crew cleared the scene at 01:30 Monday morning.

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Eau Claire (WQOW) - Firefighters were called to a home on 2nd Avenue in Eau Claire shortly before 8:00 p.m. Sunday evening. 

A WQOW News 18 reporter on scene could see heavy smoke and flames coming from the upper level of the house. One side of the roof has caved in.

Fire officials say the home has been vacant for a year and a half. They are unsure if there was a power source in the building. Right now investigators are calling the fire suspicious. No one was injured.