Hopkins, SC (WLTX) -- Columbia firefighters now say an early morning fire at a home in Hopkins is now considered an arson.

Fire crews say the case has now been handed over to the Richland County Sheriff's Department for further investigation.

According to Columbia Fire Chief Aubrey Jenkins, crews received the call to 109 Sagemont Drive in Hopkins around 4 a.m. 

Jacqueline Anderson, a neighbor, said her husband was the one to call 9-1-1 after seeing the fire when leaving for work.  She and her family tried to see if anyone was inside, but Anderson says the flames were too large to do anything.

When firefighters arrived on scene, Jenkins says 3/4 of the house was engulfed in flames, preventing firefighters from entering the house before diminishing the blaze.

Jenkins added that though crews were able to reduce the fire enough to enter the structure, the roof started to collapse, forcing them to retreat until the fire could be reduced again.

Firefighters had the fire contained around 6 a.m. and began working on putting out hot spots at that time.  None of the 34 firefighters who responded or anyone else was injured.

Neighbors say one man lived in the house and is currently away in the Bahamas.