Utica Fire Protection District was dispatched at 4:25 a.m. Saturday for a reported structure fire.
Later, dispatchers indicated a working fire. Assistant Chief Gbur initiated a full-still response which included an additional engine, tender and truck.
He found a single-story, single house fully involved.
Rural water supply was established and a tender box was dispatched to bring in three more tenders.
Crews deployed a defensive operation with a two-and-a-half-inch line.
Later, three additional lines were put into service. There were no immediate exposures.
The state fire marshal determined it was arson.
Crews were on the scene for eight hours.
