Norwich — City fire officials have called in an arson dog team from the state fire marshal’s office to investigate a blaze Wednesday that partially destroyed a vacant Boswell Avenue home and raised suspicion that it was intentionally set.

The fire at the single-family home at 367 Boswell Ave. was first reported at 5:08 p.m. Norwich Fire Chief Kenneth Scandariato said the initial report of a woman trapped inside the home led to an aggressive attack on the fire while firefighters methodically searched the home, hindered by high heat, heavy smoke and clutter inside. No one was found inside.

Upon arrival, Scandariato said the back porch was ablaze and had already spread to rooms on the first and second floors. Firefighters “stopped the fire where it was found,” he said.

Scandariato said the arson dog could help to sniff out any accelerants, such as gasoline, if they are present at the fire scene.

With no one living at the home and no utilities, Scandariato said there was no reason why the house should have caught on fire.

Several firefighters were treated at the scene for heat exhaustion.

Boswell Avenue, in the area of the fire, was still closed shortly before 9 p.m.

Norwich was aided at the fire scene by the East Great Plain and Taftville volunteer fire departments, along with a firefighter assistance team from Mohegan Tribal Fire Department.

Neighbors said the home has been vacant for about three years. Town records show the home is owned by Marcia Stygar of Texas.