Arson team investigates early-morning fire at vacant Downey home

Arson investigators are looking into the cause of a fire early Saturday at a vacant house in Downey, authorities said.

Firefighters responded to the fire about 2:40 a.m. at the house in the 7700 block of 3rd Street, said Battalion Chief Ed Haupt of the Downey Fire Department. About half of the structure was destroyed.

The building has been vacant for months and was slated to be demolished, Haupt said.

There have been no arrests in the case.

A specially trained dog was being used to help determine whether an accelerant was used in the blaze, Haupt said.

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emily.alpert@latimes.com