The fire that destroyed  a home today near Lynnwood High School is being investigated as arson.

Firefighters responded about 1:15 p.m. to the home in the 18400 block of North Road just south of the school.

“Firefighters could see a column of smoke from about five blocks away,” said Leslie Hynes, public information officer for Snohomish County Fire District 1. “The back of the house was in flames when they arrived.”

Neighbors told firefighters the house had been abandoned, but they later learned from the homeowner that a man had been renting the house and was living there part-time. The renter was away at the time of the fire.

Firefighters from Fire Districts 1 and  7, and Lynnwood responded to the call, and had the fire under control in about 20 minutes. No one was hurt.

The Snohomish County Fire Marshal’s determined the fire was intentionally set. One boy was taken into custody at the scene. Another boy and two young adults are also being questioned.