Flames were coming through the roof when crews arrived on scene, he said, so a tactical burn was employed. McClain said that approach called for crews to allow the roof to continue burning until it fell in so they could get water directly on flames inside the house.
Crews then used their hose streams to knock down the walls of the two-story double.
While the investigator is listing the cause as undetermined, the fire department is asking anyone who may have seen anything to call the department at 937-333-4500.
McClain said he did not have a dollar estimate for the damage.
UPDATE @ 5:56 p.m.:
The fire in a vacant house on South Mathison Avenue, just off West Third Street, is being investigated as suspicious, Dayton fire officials tell us. An investigator has been sent to the scene.
There are no reports of any injury.
INITIAL REPORT
Crews are on the scene of a house fire in the area of West Third Street and South Mathison Avenue in Dayton that's producing a large amount of smoke.
Crews were dispatched just after 5:30 p.m. on a report of structure fire.
A large plume of black smoke can be seen from several vantage points in the city.
We have a crew on the way. We will update this developing report as we learn more.
Do you have a news tip? Call our 24-hour line, 937-259-2237, or send it to newsdesk@cmgohio.com
About the Author