(Update 12:43 p.m.) – The cause of a fire that destroyed a vacant house near downtown St. Joseph is being ruled as undetermined.

Mike Neylon, Chief Training Officer with the St. Joseph Fire Department said it’s believed the fire at 1310 S. 9th St. began around 3:15 a.m.  The first fire unit arrived at 3:43 a.m. and crews found heavy fire and smoke throughout the building.

“Shortly after the first unit arrived, part of let’s say a third of the building collapsed.  So there was no attempt at going inside to fight the fire.  It was all done from a defensive position,” Neylon said.

He said currently, the fire is undetermined and there is not much left to investigate. No utilities were hooked up to the house at the time of the incident. No injuries were reported. The property loss is estimated at around $25,000. Neylon said a nearby structure at the corner of 9th and Mitchell sustained some damage to the roof but did not appear to be extensive.

The scene was cleared shortly before 9 a.m.

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The St. Joseph Fire Department is investigating after a large fire destroyed a vacant house early Monday morning on Mitchell.

A fire engulfed a building located near Mitchell and 9th St. The St. Joseph Police Department issued an advisory around 4 a.m. warning people to avoid the area.  Sgt. Brett Kelley said the house was vacant at the time.  Nearby resident, Matt Rivera said around 9 a.m. fire crews appeared to be back at the scene.  He said the home has been boarded up and vacant for at least a year.

We are currently waiting to hear back from fire inspectors for an update on the cause and circumstances surrounding the fire.  We will update this post as we learn more.