An east-end fire that rapidly grew into a two-alarm blaze early Sunday morning is being investigated by the fire marshall's office. But for now, arson is not suspected in the case.
Stephan Powell, district chief with the Toronto Police Service, said the fire started in the garage near a van at around 3 a.m.
The home is located on Bain Avenue, near Pape and Gerrard.
"We don't know how it started but we don't believe it's suspicious at this time," he told CTV.ca.
However, the fire marshall on the scene said he's not ruling out arson just yet.
People in the neighbourhood are nervous this could be the work of the Toronto arsonist who has struck in different locations around the city more than 40 times. One night in July, 11 separate fires were set.
Toronto police said this most recent fire does have similar characteristics to the other fires. The other fires were also sparked in secluded spots such as garages, alleyways or the rear of the house.
A house just one street north had its garage torched three weeks ago.
Meanwhile, the homeowners are grateful their neighbour sprung to action after hearing the crackling sound of the fire.
"We looked out the back and there was an enormous fire," neighbour Deb Cameron told CTV Toronto. "We started banging on the wall to wake up the neighbour...because we didn't hear them stirring. We screamed their name and they got up."
The couple was sound asleep in the room next to their three-year-old twins when they were woken up by their neighbour's screams. Everyone got out of the house safely.
With files from CTV Toronto's Austin Delaney
