ROME — The cause remains under investigation after a fire started in a vacant building on West Liberty Street in Rome Thursday morning, according to the Rome Fire Department. 

Fire Chief Thomas Iacovissi said the alarm was raised around 9:25 a.m. for the fire at the abandoned building in the 500 block. The chief said fire crews responded and knocked down the flames in about 15 to 20 minutes. 

No one was injured, the chief noted. 

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, Iacovissi said. The building is not being used and there is no power to the building, he noted, adding that there was some evidence that somebody might be using the building as shelter. 

"Apparently, somebody has been staying in there," Iacovissi said.

That possibility is under investigation with assistance from the Rome Police Department.