Old studio catches fire in Carefree

CAREFREE, Ariz. (KSAZ) - Firefighters say flames swept through an abandoned studio for fashion shoots early Sunday morning in the town of Carefree.

A passerby called sheriff's deputies at about 3:30 a.m., Sunday after spotting the flames shooting out of the empty building near Pima and Cave Creek Road in Carefree. We're told the building was known as Woburn Studios, an old retail fashion studio where shoots were held.

When deputies arrived, the building was engulfed in flames. Rural-Metro firefighters also responded to the scene and they have been working to put out the flames.

Crews from Scottsdale Fire and Phoenix Fire Department assisted Rural Metro crews as they remain on-scene to put out the blaze. MCSO investigators say the cause of the fire is suspicious, and they remain on scene gathering evidence.

Models from around the world would come to Woburn Studios for photo shoots. Now the structure is expected to be a total loss. The building has been abandoned for years and was scheduled to be re-zoned.