Transients suspected in Fresno building fire

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Transients are believed to have started a fire at an abandoned building in southwest Fresno.

The blaze was sparked around 11 p.m. Friday near Jensen and Elm Avenues. Officials say crews decided, based on the size of the fire, to take a defensive approach and let the fire burn itself out. The building had been empty for five years.

A homeless encampment was found in the back of the building, and officials say these type of fires continue to be a problem in the city. "We have so many boarded structures here," Fresno Fire Department Battalion Chief Don Bier said. "It just seems like they're a magnet for the homeless. It attracts them so they get in there and call it home for awhile and they either cook or have a warming fire and that leads to the structure fire and it's just an on-going cycle."

Investigators are working to determine the exact cause of the fire.

No injuries were reported.