Lancaster city police are investigating smoldering materials found Friday morning outside the Lancaster County Courthouse.

A pile of cloth materials and paper were found smoldering about 5:45 a.m. on a wooden platform of a construction elevator outside the courthouse, at Lenox Lane and Grant Street.

A construction worker extinguished the smoldering materials with water. There was minor damage to the wooden platform of the elevator.

A Pennsylvania State Police fire marshal responded and determined the incident to be an arson.

There is no interruption to courthouse functions. Employees and visitors to the courthouse are not believed to be in any danger.

Lancaster city police are reviewing footage from cameras in the area as part of the investigation.

We will release more information, as appropriate, during the investigation.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact city police at 717-735-3300.

MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright