MATTOON, Ill. (WAND) — The Mattoon Fire Department is investigating after a "suspicious" vacant house fire Thursday.
According to the department, firefighters responded to a home on fire near the intersection of 27th Street and Commercial Avenue just before 1 p.m.
Crews found a 1.5 story single-family home with heavy smoke and fire coming from the back of the building.
The department said the home is known to be vacant with squatters coming and going on a consistent basis.
Firefighters said the fire was brought under control within 15-20 minutes. Nobody was found inside the home.
According to the department, the fire is considered to be "suspicious in nature." An investigation into how the fire started is still ongoing.
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