Local law enforcement and four different local fire departments responded to a house fire in northwest Austin late Thursday evening that is being called suspicious in nature.

Mower County Sheriff Steve Sandvik reported that Sheriff’s Office deputies, the Austin Police Department and Fire Departments from Austin, Brownsdale, Blooming Prairie and Hollandale responded to the fire at 11:16 p.m. Thursday evening at 2910 12th Ave. NW in Austin.  Sandvik stated that the residence was fully engulfed in flames when authorities arrived on the scene, and he added that they determined shortly thereafter that the house was abandoned and unoccupied.  

Austin Fire Chief Jim McCoy contacted the State Fire Marshal’s Office, who is assisting in the ongoing investigation as Sandvik stated that the fire is being deemed suspicious in nature with no damage estimate available at last word.  

No injuries were reported.