A Brandon, Man., couple and their children say they feel lucky to be alive after they fled from their burning house early Wednesday morning.

Bryan and Sherri Ferguson and their two children got out safely from the fire that destroyed their home on the 200 block of 28th Street.

The two-storey house was engulfed in flames by the time emergency crews arrived at around 2 a.m. CT.

Three neighbouring homes were evacuated as a precaution.

Brandon police say the fire broke out in the carport and quickly spread throughout the rest of the house.

A family cat was killed in the blaze, and their four vehicles were destroyed.

Sherri Ferguson told CBC News she feels shaken by the ordeal, but she is relieved she and her family escaped unharmed.

"You go through all the emotions … and then you just try to think of the good things — that we all got out safely and we're all here, and all the other things are replaceable," she said.

Bryan Ferguson said he found a jerry can by one of the burned-out cars, which suggests the fire may have been deliberately set.

"Whoever caused this fire, I don't understand it — where it comes from, how someone can even think about it — but we know it was a fire that was lit," he said.

Investigators say it's too early to say whether the fire was an act of arson. The cause of the blaze is under investigation.

The Fergusons are thanking neighbours for their generosity and support in the wake of the fire.