Shawnee Co. (WIBW) - Flames tore through a rural Shawnee County home Friday.

There was no cause for alarm, though.

The flames were a planned event. The Mission Township Fire Dept. asked the State Fire Marshal's Office for training in fire investigations.

A property owner allowed the agencies to use a home scheduled for demolition.

Wally Roberts, an investigator with the State Fire Marshal, says several small fires were ignited inside the home, simulating situations such as an electrical fire, a cigarette in a trash can or a child playing with matches in a closet. Once the fires burned, crews extinguished them, then studied burn patterns and other clues which are evidence as to their origin.

Mission Township Fire Chief Forrest Walter says the training is a great opportunity for firefighters. He says looking at a video is one thing, but nothing beats a real house, with real wood and drywall.

The training culminates Saturday, when crews will burn the house to the ground.