BIDDEFORD — No one was injured in a fire that was reported at 8:11 p.m. Sunday at 5 Simard Ave.

After the scene was cleared at about 12:48 a.m. this morning, Fire Chief Joseph Warren said, he called in the Maine State Fire Marshal Office to investigate because “there is reason to believe that it might be suspicious.”

Although he didn’t have the results of the fire marshal’s investigation as of press time, Warren said part of the reason for the suspicion was that a nearby fatal fire at 35 Main St. on Sept. 18 was deemed to be arson. Also, at the Simard Avenue fire location, there had been an earlier unspecified police department “event.” Because of that earlier event involving police, the unit on the second floor, where the fire started, was vacant and without power, said Warren.

He said the fire was contained to the second floor of the two-story, two-unit building.

Those living on the first floor include a man, a woman and a dog. Slowing down containment of the fire, said Warren, was a report that the woman was missing. While attacking the blaze, firefighters conducted multiple searches of the building looking for the woman. Warren said the department finally received a call that the woman was with a parent.

In addition to Biddeford, fire departments from Saco, Arundel and Scarborough also responded.

Warren said the residents were displaced by the fire.

— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 324 or [email protected].