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MILFORD - Investigators ruled this week that a fire that destroyed a Camelot Lake house April 7 was not an accident.
The fire was ruled an incendiary fire, Milford Fire Chief Ned Hunsberger said. That means all accidental causes have been ruled out, but investigators have not said if the fire was arson or vandalism.
Hunsberger said the Kosciusko County Squad 70, Indiana State Police and the state fire marshall's office are continuing the investigation into the blaze. They are awaiting test results from samples taken from the house.
The fire destroyed a vacant home at 2630 E. LaPoint Drive, Camelot Lake. The Milford Fire Department was called to the blaze at 4:40 p.m. April 7.
The home was owned by Frank Guinn, Western Springs, Ill., and was vacant since August. The home had been for sale for six to seven months.
According to reports, the first firefighters on the scene saw heavy black smoke and fire shooting as high as 30 feet into the air. The fire was brought under control in approximately 30 minutes, but firefighters remained at the scene until after 10 p.m.
Firefighters were called back out to the house at 8 a.m. April 8 when the fire apparently rekindled.
The fire did not spread beyond the house, but one nearby home sustained minor damage to siding and shingles from the heat.
The Syracuse Fire Department and North Webster Fire Department assisted fighting the fire.
Damage to the gutted home was estimated at $100,000.
