An unoccupied house south of Lake Darling State Park was considered a total loss when fire departments responded early Saturday morning.

Brighton Fire Chief Bill Farmer says the structure located at 1270 Jefferson-Washington Road was believed to have been on fire for a couple hours before a neighbor contacted dispatch. The fire department responded at about 4:44 a.m. as the fire was contained to the basement/crawlspace area, and a nearby metal machine shed and wooden out building did not incur any damage. Farmer says the fire is being ruled as suspicious, and agencies were on scene for approximately an hour and a half. Fairfield Fire Department, Brighton QRS, Washington County Ambulance Service, Alliant Energy, and Jefferson and Washington County sheriff’s deputies also assisted at the scene.