Authorities investigate suspicious fire in Elyria

ELYRIA, Ohio - Authorities were on the scene of a suspicious house fire that spread to other homes Tuesday morning.

Firefighters received the call around 1 a.m. When they arrived to the scene, crews found a vacant house fully engulfed in flames on Highland Avenue and Gateway Boulevard.

Two homes, on both sides of the vacant house, went up in flames.

The home on the left had eight people inside and all of them needed to be rescued. Fire was blocking the front door, but they all got out safely.

The home to the right had three people inside. All of them also got out safely. It sustained considerable damage.

The fire captain said there's a suspicion of arson because of the rate the fire spread through the first house. There have been two other suspicious fires in the area.

Crews remained on the scene hours after to continue their investigation and fight hot spots.