Three people and a dog escaped from an early morning house fire Tuesday on 17 Street at Fitzgerald Avenue.

The fire, which appears to have started near the carport, began around 3:45 a.m.

Const. Rob Gardner of the Comox Valley RCMP said the police are working with the fire department to investigate what caused the fire.

鈥淭he investigation is still in the very early stages right now, so we鈥檙e looking for anyone who has any information or who may have seen anything in this area this morning at that time to contact us or CrimeStoppers,鈥� he noted.

When asked if the fire is being considered suspicious, Gardner explained it is hard to tell because 鈥渋t is so new, it is being working on right now.鈥�

He added police officers are going door-to-door in the neighbourhood and are canvassing homes to see if anyone had seen or heard anything.

A e page was set up Tuesday afternoon by a family friend, Vicki Wilford.

鈥淭he fire devastated the home of my friend and his son. They are without clothes, food and housing 鈥� with such a small vacancy rate, my friend鈥檚 health concerns prevent him from working, and lack of affordable housing he is concerned about accommodations and expenses.鈥�

She added she can鈥檛 imagine how the family must feel as they lost everything they own in the fire.