Advertisement $1.7 million Ormond Beach home total loss after fire, officials say No one injured in fire Share Shares Copy Link Copy

A 1920s oceanfront home went up in flames early Friday morning due to arson, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.The fire started in the $1.7 million house on Ocean Shore Boulevard just before 3 a.m., deputies said.The blaze apparently started on the lower level of the home and worked its way up through the roof. The home will be a total loss, according to city officials.Investigators said no one was inside the two-story house at the time of the fire.Due to the intensity of the flames, fire crews are attempting to put out the blaze by working from the exterior of the house, officials said.Caretaker Ross Branch, who lives in a cottage on the property, still can't believe the home with glorious beach views is a burned out shell.Branch said he has various encounters with homeless people on the property."I do have problems with homeless people sleeping on the porch when it rains," Branch said. "Sometimes when it's real cold they'll break in to the basement for shelter."Branch said he knew it couldn't be an electrical fire because there was no power going into the house.Three months ago, the homeowner dropped fire insurance since they turned the power off in the home, Branch said.Read previous story: Fire officials: 2 suspicious house fires in Daytona BeachTwo days ago and approximately 6 miles south of the home, two different houses caught fire and were deemed suspicious by investigators in Daytona Beach.Investigators did not indicate if the suspicious house fires in Daytona Beach are connected to the house fire in Ormond Beach.The state fire marshal was called to investigate the fire, deputies said.Images: Vacant home suspicious fire in Daytona Beach