A suspected arson fire destroyed a vacant home on Elizabeth Street in Kelso early Friday morning, according to Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue.
An initial report at 3:40 a.m. indicated that smoke was billowing out of the sides and roof. Crews from Cowlitz 2 and the Longview Fire Department evacuated two nearby homes and started battling the fire. The fire was fully extinguished by 5:48 a.m., according to a Cowlitz 2 press release.
The house, valued at $39,000, is a total loss, fire officials say.
Fire crews also responded to two nearby garbage can fires within an hour of being dispatched to the Elizabeth Street house fire.