Fire swept through this home at 214 Baker Place on Tuesday afternoon. Courtesy Julie Cortens

Fire investigators in Saskatoon are trying to figure out what caused a house fire in the Forest Grove area on Tuesday.

During the afternoon, flames tore through the two-storey house at 214 Baker Pl. in the east side neighbourhood, leaving charred ruins.

Officials said the fire was already out of control when the crews arrived. Fire crews searched the first floor and found the home empty.

"The back deck was fully involved and spreading to the house," acting battalion chief Warren Mellor said. "It just spread from the house, up the back wall into the eaves and it's continued inside the house."

The first 911 call came in shortly after 2 p.m. CST. Crews were on scene within three minutes.

The damage is estimated at $500,000, the fire department said.