A home on Squamish Nation lands in North Vancouver was leveled Thursday night in what police are calling a suspicious fire.

The blaze broke out some time before 8:30 p.m, at the corner of Hunter Street and Chief Jimmy Harry Drive, near the Mount Seymour Parkway exit on Hwy 1. Several people reported it to 9-1-1, according to firefighters.

“Our first crews arrived there, and they found heavy flame and smoke on both floors,” said District of North Vancouver assistant chief Mike Cairns. “The fire is under investigation, and the house is a total loss. Our fire attack was just from the outside and we concentrated on protecting the houses beside as well.”

Three residents were inside when the fire broke out, he said. They escaped without serious injury.

“They all got out,” said Cairns. “Two of them were treated for smoke inhalation at Lions Gate Hospital.”

Nearby homes had to be evacuated and the neighbourhood was blanketed in smoke during the four-hour fire. All residents allowed to return shortly after.

It’s not clear what caused the blaze but RCMP are treating it as suspicious.

Victims of the fire were offered provincial emergency assistance, which is typically three nights’ accommodation, but declined.

brichter@nsnews.com