The fire happened around 7 a.m. in the 700 block of Five Oaks Avenue in Dayton’s Five Oaks neighborhood.

It took firefighters about 30 minutes to get the flames under control. The flames raced through both sides of the large and sturdy home.

Firefighters said when they pulled up to the scene, smoke was billowing out and flames could be seen coming from both sides of the duplex.

Investigators said they are concerned that someone intentionally set the fire. One neighbor said he heard some kids had kicked in the front door, but the house had been vacant for a couple of years.

Firefighters said it appears that one side of the duplex was occupied but could not find anyone who lives there.

Fire officials said the home’s slate roof made them unsure whether to attack the flames from inside or outside the structure.

City leaders would like to quickly rehab homes that are still in good shape, but left vacant. They have increased their demolition budget for homes that are beyond repair, but they admit vacant homes in the city is a huge ongoing problem.

Investigators said the fire began in the side of the duplex that was vacant, which prompted their suspicion that the fire may be arson.