Officials with Eastside Fire and Rescue believe someone started the fire that damaged an unoccupied North Bend home early last Sunday, Jan. 25.

Fire investigators placed a sticker on the door of the residence, in the 400 block of Ballarat Avenue North, setting for tips from the public on how the fire started.

Investigators know that human activity was behind the fire’s cause. However, since they don’t know why the fire was started, they are not describing the fire as arson.

The sticker lists a cash reward for information leading to an arrest and prosecution of any potential culprit who is found.

Eastside Fire and Rescue, Snoqualmie and Fall City firefighters spent the early hours of the morning battling the suspicious fire.

The blaze was reported at 1:30 a.m., when callers saw the house fully engulfed in flames. Firefighters found heavy smoke coming from the house as they arrived, and took defensive tactics. It took crews about three hours to put it out.

“The fire was extremely intense,” next-door neighbors Dan and Sheri Loepke told the Valley Record.

The Loepkes thanked fire crews for their prompt response and effort in getting the fire under control.

Information on the fire’s cause can be given to investigator Jerry Kenny at (206) 296-7072.