DEWITT, NY - A fire at a vacant miniature golf course in DeWitt appears to have been set, DeWitt police said Friday afternoon.

Preliminary information seems to indicate a person or persons set the fire either intentionally or accidentally, said Chase Bilodeau, speaking for DeWitt police. It's not known yet if it was arson, or was set by mistake, he said.

Bilodeau said police don't have a "fully determined cause" of the fire yet, but are working with Onondaga County's Fire Investigation Unit to develop a full picture of what happened.

The business has operated as two different miniature golf courses since at least the 1980s.

The fire at Putter's Paradise, which been closed for about four years, started about 5 p.m. Thursday. The right side of Putter's Paradise caught fire, and flames and smoke could be seen from Interstate 690.

The mini-golf course was at 3201 Erie Boulevard East behind McDonald's.

Putter's Paradise Fire 7 Gallery: Putter's Paradise Fire

The 3,200-square-foot building was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived, according to fire officials. Utilities in the building had been shut off, they said.

Bilodeau said police are still gathering evidence, talking to potential witnesses and looking at video coverage of the area.

The miniature golf course used to be home to Putt-Putt Miniature Golf going back to at least the '80s, according to newspaper archives. At that time, it was a popular spot for teen-agers and young families.