ALBANY — This morning, Jan. 8 around 7:00 AM the Albany Fire Department was called to an abandoned house fire on West 2nd Avenue near Washington street.

The AFD is now investigating the vacant home after finding space heaters in the destruction.

Investigators believe an electrical shortage caused the fire and that someone was living in the home and stealing electricity from the city.

Heavy black smoke could be seen from downtown Albany and traffic was stopped from Jackson to Washington Street.