No one was hurt in a fire at a vacant house early Thursday morning in south Merced, according to Fire Chief Mike McLaughlin.

Firefighters arrived at the scene shortly before 4 a.m. and saw smoking coming from the residence. The first was found in back of the residence and quickly extinguished by firefighters.

The fire caused about $50,000 in damage to the structure and its contents, McLaughlin said.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. McLaughlin said there was no utility service to the house.

Thirteen firefighters, three engines one truck and a battalion chief responded to the scene.

— Sun-Star staff