Local and state authorities are investigating the cause of the Saturday blaze that destroyed a Patrick County home, according to Patrick County Sheriff Dan Smith.

Volunteer fire crews responded to the scene of the blaze at 1523 Claudville Highway, Claudville, shortly after 6 a.m. Saturday, at according to reports from the scene.

Smith noted the crews “found the residential structure engulfed in flames” when they arrived at the scene. He said sheriff’s deputies also responded to the fire and initiated an arson investigation.

Smith said an arson investigator with the Virginia State Police was later called to the scene to help with the investigation.

No one was living in the home at the time of the fire, the sheriff said, and alleged “It was obvious that the fire was intentionally set.”

Crews from CCDF, Ararat and Stuart volunteer fire departments, along with their counterparts from Franscisco and Flat Rock, N.C. fire departments worked to contain and extinguish the blaze.

Smith said the home and contents were destroyed.
There were no injuries, according to reports from the scene.
A reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of the person(s) responsible, according to Smith.

Anyone with information about the blaze is urged to contact Investigator Brian Hubbard at (276) 692-6512, or Smith at (276) 692-7012.

(Photos by Lynn Shouse, who also contributed to this report.)