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GRFD lieutenant says vacant house fire was arson

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Lieutenant Smith with the Grand Rapids Fire Department has said Wednesday that a house fire on Prospect Avenue SE has been determined as arson.

It is not yet clear what caused the fire, but authorities are investigating the incident. There was no working electricity or gas and no one was inside the vacant home.

Tuesday afternoon a Michigan State Police K-9 unit was on the scene. Investigators say the K9 is an accelerant dog, tasked with searching the home for possible causes to the fire.

"They'll do a preliminary 360 of the building inside and out and based on what they're finding and what they're not finding. They may employ additional resources such as an accelerant dog," Grand Rapids Fire Lt. Bill Smith said. "This accelerant dog is a Michigan State Police accelerant dog and it's not uncommon for Grand Rapids fire investigators to use the K9 for discovery or to rule out if there were accelerants in this fire."

If you have any information about this fire you're asked to call the Grand Rapids Fire Department at 616-456-3900 or the Grand Rapids Police Department at 616-456-3400.

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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Tuesday morning commuters on the southeast side of Grand Rapids may run into some issues. 

Authorities have shut down Hall Street SE between Lafayette Avenue SE and Madison Avenue SE for a house fire on Prospect Avenue SE. 

According to the fire department, the house was vacant at the time of the fire -- which broke out around 5 a.m. The front of the home and the second floor saw the most damage. 

Authorities have not yet confirmed what caused the fire, however the fire investigator is on scene to learn more.

Drivers should avoid the area if possible.

Credit: 13 OYS
A home on Hall Street SE in Grand Rapids was on fire this morning, closing down the roadway Tuesday, Sept. 10.

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