Investigators say they now suspect arson as the cause of an intense factory fire early Saturday morning in downtown Stevensville.

Lincoln Charter Township Fire Chief Ron Burkett told WSBT-TV that approximately a third of the 13,000 square foot commercial building in the 2100 block of Kimmel Street was involved in the fire that broke out at midnight. There were no injuries.

Burkett told SBT24/7 News that the fire is suspicious because it seemed to start in two locations that were well away from each other — first in the north end, and then in the south end just minutes later.

And the owner of the property has had problems in the past with a group of teens vandalizing the building.

“There were previous reports from local police about juveniles,” said Burkett. “And there was graffiti and other signs.”

Burkett said he has requested help from state fire investigators, and that they should know more about the origin of the blaze by Tuesday.

Southwestern Development Corp in Chicago Illinois owns the building. Lakeshore Electro-Plate was the last business in operation there, but they left in 2001.

The factory was not insured, said Burkett, as it was unoccupied and unused.