ALLEGHENY TWP — A fire Monday night burned a small abandoned house in northern Butler County.

What little of the cinder block home on McKee Road that was remaining before the fire was destroyed afterward, authorities said.

State police were notified of the fire about 7:15 p.m. but it was not known if they are investigating. A telephone call to the barracks was not immediately returned this morning.

The property owner, who lives nearby, spotted the fire and called 911. Firefighters responded but there was nothing of the house left to save, said Josh Sullivan of the Eau Claire Volunteer Fire Department,

North Washington volunteer firefighters also assisted. The owner, whose name was not known, told police that he would tend to the smoldering remains and firefighters left a short time after getting there.

But about an hour later, a passer-by called 911 to report the structure was still smoking.