The Porter County Fire Investigation Strike Team is assisting in finding the cause of a mobile home fire on Christmas night at Forest Oaks Mobile Home Park in Liberty Township.

The mobile home, according to a release from the Liberty Township Volunteer Fire Department, was not occupied.

“The home did not appear to be in a livable condition as standard furnishings were not present,” according to the release.

Firefighters were sent to the mobile home park for a mobile home fire late Christmas night. Nearby residents reported smoke and flames coming from a trailer on Canterbury Circle near Asmanda Lane, according to the release.

Liberty Township Chief Brian Duncan and Assistant Chief Michael Wineland arrived on the scene and found no active flames. Smoke was visible from outside the trailer and pushing out from the eaves. The trailer was not occupied when firefighters arrived.

Liberty Township firefighters stretched a hose line and conducted a primary search confirming the home was not occupied. Chesterton and South Haven firefighters checked for an extension of the fire under the trailer and started ventilation efforts at the main entry door.

Preliminary findings found an oven missing where the fire appears to have been started. The fire suffocated itself inside the home and created a smoke-filled atmosphere further damaging the interior of the home, according to the release.