Nanaimo Fire Rescue inspectors are investigating the cause of a fire that destroyed an outbuilding at 432 Howard Ave. early Monday morning.
Fire inspector Ennis Mond said an 8-by-12 foot wood-framed shed with cedar siding containing some metal chairs was reported on fire by nearby residents at about 12:45 a.m.
Mond said the fire, which spread to the gables of the house about three metres away on the same property, is suspicious. There was no significant damage to the house and no injuries were reported.
The shed burned to the ground.
"The house is vacant and was not secure, the doors were unlocked, and doesn't have power and neither does the shed," said Mond. "With no power to the shed and no power to the house, something is not right."
Six fire fighting units arrived on scene to handle the blaze.