A fire inside the old Rome Labs building that seems to have burned itself out sometime in the past two days is under investigation by the Police and Fire departments.

The fire appears to have been intentionally set after someone forced their way into the Brooks Road building.

Police were dispatched to the vacant building shortly before 8 p.m. for an open door, according to Detective Commander Timothy J. Bates. The officers found the damage from the fire in a hallway and two rooms on the second floor. The fire had long since burned itself out, authorities said.

"In the process of clearing the building, they discovered on the second floor damage that had been caused by fire," Bates stated. "It appears that the fire was intentionally set."

Investigators are trying to determine what was used to start the fire and the point of origin. The two rooms were empty. The Rome Fire Department was called to the scene to aid in the investigation.

The fire was "never reported," said Deputy Fire Chief James M. Kirk.

Detective Bates said it appears that the fire was started sometime in the past two days, and then "it burned itself out." Bates said the building is owned by the Air Force, and "entry was gained by forcing open a door."

Anyone with information on the break-in at Rome Labs or the fire is asked to call Detective Edwin A. D’Alessandro at 339-7717. All calls will be kept confidential. Anonymous e-mail tips can also be left at the website www.romepd.com.