Arson to blame for house fire in South Peoria

PEORIA (25News Now) - Arson is suspected as the cause for an early Sunday morning house fire in South Peoria.

The Peoria Fire Department responded to a call around 2:47 a.m. for a house on fire in the 1800 block of S. Westmoreland Avenue. Upon arrival, firefighters found flames coming out of an exterior wall near the back of the home.

A search was conducted to see if anyone was inside, but the three adults and five children who lived there were able to safely escape before first responders arrived. All eight occupants are now displaced after the fire spread to the interior of the house, causing significant smoke damage.

A fire investigator determined that the fire was intentionally set on the exterior of the home and ruled it as arson.

Damage is estimated at around $20,000. No injuries were reported.