Guelph police are asking for public assistance after a weekend fire that left four Grange Road homes damaged.

Police were called to the scene shortly after 4 a.m. on Saturday morning. The Guelph Fire Department was already on scene.

Damage to the homes is estimated around $700,000, but there were no injuries. Two homes were extensively damaged, while two nearby homes sustained minor heat and smoke damage.

The residents of the two hardest hit homes were evacuated along with those in the neighbouring residences.

Kasia Szczesny says the flames erupted on her back deck as she, her young son and two nieces slept.

"My niece woke up actually and said that it sounded like somebody was knocking on the window. And she had woken my son up, by then it was crackling."

She says they are just grateful they were able to get out in time, "because it was close, if it was a minute or two later, we wouldn't have been so lucky."

The investigation continues to try to determine the cause of the fire.

Police are asking residents to be aware that some traffic delays are expected as Grange Road has been reduced to one lane between Bradson Drive and Raspberry Lane.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 519-824-1212 Ext. 342 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Neighbourhood on alert after multiple fires

The fire marked the second time in days crews were called to Grange Road. A camper was destroyed in a blaze on Wednesday. Police believe that fire was arson.

Guelph Police Sgt. Doug Pflug says "We definitely have officers and detectives doing an investigation. We are looking to see if they are linked."

Police say they are stepping up patrols in the area and are encouraging people to come forward with any information that might be helpful.

Meanwhile residents say they will be keeping a close eye on each others homes.

Grange Road resident Alex Pawsey says "We all have young kids and the last thing we need is somebody coming out of nowhere and basically destroying our peace, peaceful neighbourhood and interfering in our lives."

Sev Franchetto lives near the damaged homes. He says he saw a wall of flames from his bedroom window. He got his family out safe, called 911 and then started knocking on his neighbours' doors.

But for all the residents it's going to be more than just one night of fear and concern.

"My wife is all still shaken up quite a bit," he says, "the neighbours are, you know kids next door they don't want to sleep in their bedrooms, they have to sleep with mom and dad."