Portage la Prairie RCMP is investigating a suspected arson.

Police believe a vehicle was intentionally set on fire at Saskatchewan Avenue and 16th Street NW last week, and are now trying to identify suspects. Mounties say in a release, at 1:37 a.m. on April 12, Portage la Prairie emergency services responded to the call, as a passerby spotted flames coming from a vehicle -- described as a Pontiac G6 -- outside of Panko's Food Store.

The blaze was put out by the Portage Fire Department, which confirmed there had been no occupants within the vehicle.

"We believe this is an incident of arson so we would very much like to identify suspects involved," says RCMP Const. Sean O'Keefe. "Crimes such as these raise all of our insurance rates and we definitely want to identify suspects."

Investigators are asking that anyone with knowledge of this incident contact the Portage la Prairie RCMP at 204-857-4445. Anonymous tips can be made through Manitoba Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) and www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.