Investigators say house fire intentionally set

A fire that caused an estimated $7,000 in damage late Thursday in west Topeka was ruled intentionally set, authorities said.

The blaze was reported shortly after 10 p.m. at a residence at 2329 S.W. Edgewater Terrace.

Topeka Fire Department officials said crews reported light smoke and flames coming out of the house upon their arrival.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze and contained it to the house where it started. Primary and secondary searches of the residence found the house to be unoccupied.

One pet was rescued from the house and was transported to the Helping Hands Humane Society for evaluation and safe-keeping, fire officials said.

The Topeka Fire Department's investigation unit responded to the scene to determine the cause of the blaze.

The preliminary investigation revealed the cause of the fire to be incendiary, or intentionally set.

Of the estimated dollar loss, $4,500 was to the structure and $2,500 was to its contents.

Working smoke detectors weren't present in the house, fire officials said.

Anyone with information on the fire may call Crime Stoppers at 785-234-0007 or 1-800-222 TIPS.