Century old home goes up in flames in Central Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Firefighters are investigating what caused a century old home to catch fire in Central Fresno.

Fresno fire crews responded to the fire a little before two Wednesday morning. The fire was at a home that was at least 100-years-old and was vacant.

When crews arrived they immediately tried to contain the fire and stop it from spreading. Ultimately they decided to let it burn because the home was severely damaged.

Firefighters want to use this fire as an example-- if you have a vacant property or boarded up home check on it frequently to make sure it is secure.

Randy Reitz with the Fresno Fire Department said, "Securing the building well, but just following up with it, making sure that if they are still vacant for any period of time that the owners come back and check it periodically and makes sure it stays secured."

Crews said a fire has happened at the same house in the past.

Another reason they decided to let it burn was because of the way the home was built. Firefighters said it was built like a balloon, meaning-- it has open pathways between its basement and attic increasing the danger to firefighters trying to go inside the building.

It is not clear what caused the fire, but crews believe someone might have entered the house and started it-- perhaps as a warming or cooking fire.