SPOKANE -- Spokane fire investigators say an early morning fire in the 2200 block of East Sprague Tuesday was arson.

Spokane Firefighters were called to the 2200 block of East Sprague just before 6 a.m. The fire started in the front of the home and spread to the attic. Firefighters were able to quickly knock down the fire and begin assessing the damage.

The home has been converted into a multi-unit residence with eight apartment units. The five people living there made it out of the house without injury. The Red Cross is helping those people who have been left homeless by the fire.

The house turned-apartment building has a long history of problems with drugs and prostitution. The new manager says someone must have been upset he is trying to clean up the building.

"I've called the cops a bunch of times and had people arrested here. Just yesterday I threw out a prostitute and lets say a pimp," manager Henry Valder said.

Valder says that Phillip Paul, the criminally insane killer who escaped from the Spokane County Fairgrounds last fall, is a part owner of the building. U.S. Marshals raided the house last summer while searching for Paul after his escape.

Investigators are searching for several people who may have intentionally set the fire.

KXLY4's Erik Loney contributed to this story