Suspicious fire near Lake Charles East

A suspicious fire caused an estimated $100,000 in damage to a house Saturday night near Lake Charles East, according to the Angola Fire Department.

Fire crews were dispatched to 60 Lane 100B Lake Charles East at 9:26 p.m. When they arrived, the one-story ranch-style house was engulfed in flames, the department said.

The fire’s strength kept crews from safely entering. Working from outside, they brought the flames under control at 9:56 p.m.

No one was home at the time, and no one was injured, the department said.

Investigators did not give specifics on why they believe the fire, which remains under investigation, is suspicious.

“There are just some unanswered questions,” fire department spokesman T.R. Hagerty said, adding that arson has not been ruled out.

Anyone with information about the fire is asked to call the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office at 260-665-3131 or Steuben County Crime Stoppers at 260-668-7867.