A Watson Lake man is under investigation for alleged arson endangering life after a residence caught fire with children still inside early Thursday morning.

At approximately 1:15 a.m., Watson Lake RCMP responded to a report of a man who had allegedly lit his house on fire.

When police arrived, a recreational trailer adjacent to the residence on Adela Trail was also in flames, and a woman and her children were outside.

The youngsters had been removed from the home by a passerby who saw the fire and intervened.

The mother was not home at the time, but returned when she learned of the blaze.

Investigators suspect the fire was deliberately set by the woman's husband. The two have been going through personal difficulties and are estranged.

A 31-year-old man is in custody and an RCMP arson investigator and members of the "M” Division Major Crimes Unit are in Watson Lake to assist in the investigation.

Anyone who witnessed the event or has any information regarding the investigation is asked to call the Watson Lake RCMP at 536-5555.