Investigators are calling a string of early Sunday morning fires set in Winnipeg's St. Boniface neighbourhood suspicious.

It all started at about 4:30 a.m. in the area of Provencher Boulevard and Des Meurons Street. At least six fires were reported in several different locations.

"Over a relatively short period of time probably 20 minutes to 30 minutes between 4:30 and 5 this morning the fires for the most part caused damage," said Const. Jason Michalyshen. "We're talking vehicles, garages, garbage bins things like that."

Smoke from one of the fires forced the evacuation of an apartment building. A resident from the building told CBC News the fire was started in garbage bins near the entrance.

People living in St.Boniface told CBC News they're concerned.

Roger Daignault lives in the 500 block of De La Morenie and woke up to find his van on fire.

"Then the van blew up and that really confused me cause I was telling the gentleman here it blew glass right into my backyard," said Daignault. "I can't let my daughter go out until I go through my whole backyard."

Luckily the flames didn't spread to his home. He said he's glad firefighters showed up when they did.

The arson strike force is investigating.