It was a rude awakening for the residents of two homes in the Byron area Monday.
London firefighters were called to 31 Robinwood Cres. around 1:40am after fire broke out in the garage and quickly spread through the house. The side of the neighbouring home was also damaged by flames. Heavy smoke filled both houses.
Two people were inside one of the homes, while a family of three was inside the other at the time of the fire. They all made it out safely.
An early estimate puts the damage at $200,000, but that number is expected to go up.
The cause of the blaze has not been determined. A fire inspector expects to remain at the scene for much of the day.