Coquitlam Fire and Rescue is investigating a suspicious blaze that broke out at a home on Cultus Court early Friday morning.
Crews arrived on scene shortly after 4:30 a.m. for what appeared to be a fully involved structure fire. However, chief Wade Pierlot told The Tri-City News that it turned out that the flames were likely coming from outside of the garage and going up the front of the home.
"The fire appeared to be on the outside," he said. "That make it a little more suspicious than something that starts on the inside."
A mother and two children were able to escape without injury and called 911. Pierlot said that one of the residents may have smelled smoke outside at around 8 p.m. the night before, but could not find the source of the smell.
Pierlot said that crews were able to work quickly to stop the blaze and avoid any further damage to the home, which he expects could be re-occupied shortly.
"It was a good stop by our guys," he said. "A few more minutes and it coul dhave gained a lot more of a footing inside the home itself."
