Investigators from the state Fire Marshal's Office said a house was deliberately set on fire early Thursday in Tampa.

According to Tampa Fire Rescue, a fire broke out at a home in the 4000 block of west Waterman Avenue just before 2 a.m.

Firefighters found a fire so intense, the incident commander ordered crews out of the house. They were still able to knock down the fire from the outside after about 15 minutes.

The house was unoccupied and there were no injuries reported.

Officials later said they determined the house had been vacant for several hours and that it had no power. They said the suspect had illegally entered the house and start a fire before fleeing undetected.

The damage to the house and its contents is estimated at over $50,000.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Fire Marshal's Office at 813-274-7000 or to use the anonymous tips page at www.tampagov.net/arsontips.

Rewards of up to $2,500 or more are available for information leading to the identification of the suspect.