West Vancouver house fire set deliberately, police believe

Investigators believe a major house fire in West Vancouver Monday morning was deliberately setafter finding a small gas canister at the scene.

Police say they do not have any suspects at the moment.

Fire crews received reports of a house fire on the block of 2600 Bellevue Avenueshortly after 4 a.m. PT.

They reported the firewas out around 10 a.m., but the flames had already jumped to a second home.

Crews from three fire departments and a fire boat fought the fire at the second house.The West Vancouver Fire Department is advising residents in the area to close their windows until the smoke clears.

Police say everyone in the two houses is accounted for andtwo residents were checked at the hospital for smoke inhalation.Nearby homes were also temporarily evacuated.

Police are asking people to call the criminal investigation unit at 604-925-7300if they saw any suspicious activity in the areaor saw someone buying gas in a fuel canister.

GoogleMaps: 2600 Bellevue Avenue, West Vancouver