FORD COUNTY – Investigators are still working to determine the cause of a fire in a single story rural residence southwest of Dodge City on October 2.

Ford county fire department investigators requested a K-9 from the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s office to assist with the investigation.

“Not only can they sniff out the exact location of accelerant at a fire scene, arson dogs can also pick out a suspect from a line-up.

Often the alleged arsonists will still have traces of the accelerant on their clothing,” according to Kevin Doel in an email from the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s office.

At this time, the cause of the fire is still undetermined, according to Charles Wheaton who assisted with the investigation from the Ford County Fire Department.

He refused to provide specific details on the exact location of the residence and who may have been at the residence at the time of the fire.

There were no injuries reported and no damage estimate available until the investigation is finished.