A Jamestown residence is demolished following a fire early Thursday. The blaze was ruled arson by city fire investigators. P-J photo by Eric Tichy

A fire that broke out at a Jamestown property early Thursday has been ruled arson by city investigators.

Deputy Fire Chief Chet Harvey confirmed that the blaze at 418 E. Fifth St. was intentionally set. He could not provide further details as the incident remains under investigation.

Harvey said crews arrived around 5:15 a.m. and found fire inside the property, which housed several apartments. A portion of the roof collapsed shortly after firefighters arrived, prompting a defensive attack.

Firefighters remained on scene for several hours dousing hot spots.

No one was living at the residence at the time of the fire; no utilities were connected. No injuries were reported in battling the fire, Harvey said.

The property was quickly deemed unsafe, and a demolition was ordered by city officials. An excavator began razing the building around 10:30 a.m.