Cause of Vacant House Fire Could Be Arson

LONGVIEW — Longview Fire Department officials are investigating a Wednesday evening fire that started in a vacant home that had no working utilities. Fire Marshal Johnny Zackary said firefighters responded to the fire in the 2200 block of Bates Street just before 8 p.m. Wednesday. He says it appears as though the fire started on the couch and that it was possibly ignited by someone who wasn’t authorized to be in the home. The house reportedly has a history of being broken into. Although an official cause of the fire has not been determined, Zackary said it was possible the fire was started by the improper use of some type of smoking material. Zackary said the home was under renovation, and estimated about $15,000 worth of damage.