Waterloo Region police and fire prevention officers are investigating after a fire at a house on Breithaupt Street in Kitchener early Thursday morning.
Emergency crews responded to the blaze shortly before 2 a.m. after the fire was spotted by a security guard in the area, and all occupants of the building escaped without injury.
Damage is estimated around $80,000 and the cause of the fire is under investigation. Forensic officers were collecting evidence at the scene Thursday, carefully examining what was gathered.
Kitchener Fire Prevention Officer Rick Kellsey says "There is some suspicions, but again, it's under investigation at this point."
The owner of the apartment house, Tony Pernica, says he got a call from one of his tenants soon after the fire.
"One tenant, lady from upstairs, she called me roughly about 2 a.m. She said ‘The house is on fire,' so I said ‘I'll be right there.' That's all I can do so I jumped in the van and came over."
He says his first concern was for the seven people, including four children, who live in the three apartments. He was relieved to hear everyone got out safely.
Neighbours were also relieved that no one was injured.
Mike Dean Sinclair lives next door and says "When we came out we looked over the step, we didn't see anybody exiting. All we saw was the people that lived here across the street. We were kind of concerned for the kids."
Tenants affected by the fire are reportedly staying with friends or getting help from The Red Cross.
