LOWGAP — Local and state officials are investigating a Thursday night fire as arson, but they are keeping mum on many details of the blaze.

According to John Shelton, director of Surry County Emergency Services, the blaze was located on Pony Lane off Turkey Ford Road in the Lowgap community.

The fire started in the basement of the structure, according to Shelton, which was occupied at the time of the fire.

“No fire departments were called to the scene and the fire had gone out by itself by the time it was discovered,” he said.

According to Shelton, officials at this time are working to determine what time the fire was started.

“That will probably have to be determined by the (State Bureau of Investigation) Crime Lab,” he said.

While he was choosing his words carefully, the emergency services administrator said there may be more to the incident than meets the eye.

“All we can tell you about it at this time is that (the fire investigation) involves a domestic situation and right now we can’t release any more information,” he said.

County Fire Investigator Earl Mounce said the fire is being treated as a suspected arson, and he is being assisted in the investigation by members of the Surry County Sheriff’s Department and the State Bureau of Investigation.