BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Police are investigating a suspected arson near a Bellingham homeless encampment that’s being cleared.

Bellingham Police Lt. Claudia Murphy says an officer was on patrol near the intersection of W. Bakerview Road and Northwest Avenue on Monday night when he noticed the fire.

The garage, which wasn’t connected to the main property, was fully engulfed in flames by the time firefighters arrived.

Bellingham Fire Department spokesperson Dustin Michaelis says the building was a total loss, though no one was injured.

Police detectives and fire investigators are both working to determine the cause of the fire.

The incident came as contractors hired by private property owners began clearing the Bakerview encampment earlier this week.