Brampton firefighters battled a suspicious townhouse blaze yesterday afternoon on Hansen Road North.

One 15-year-old, the homeowner's son, was taken to hospital by ambulance as a precaution for smoke inhalation. He escaped the townhouse with two high school friends and the family cat after smelling smoke.

Flames were seen coming from the roof of the townhouse at 105 Hansen Rd. N. at 12:20 p.m. The upper floor of the townhouse was on fire. The cause is not yet known.

The occupants were evacuated as firefighters doused the fire. Damage is estimated at $50,000 and was limited to the upstairs. Minor damage was done to a neighbouring unit when firefighters broke in to ensure the fire was not spreading through the attic. There was a fire separation in the attic, so the fire did not spread, according to fire officials.

Police were questioning three youths yesterday afternoon. The cause of the fire is under investigation by Brampton fire and the Ontario Fire Marshal's Office.