SURREY — A huge house fire in Newton early Friday morning might have been deliberately set.
The fire, in the 14300-block of 82nd Avenue, erupted shortly before 1 a.m. and was raging by the time Surrey firefighters arrived.
“It’s being investigated as a suspicious fire at this time,†said Surrey RCMP Cpl. Bert Paquet. “We’re just happy nobody was home at the time and nobody was hurt, first responders included.â€
Twenty-one firefighters fought the two-alarm blaze. The rear part of the house collapsed upon their arrival.
Surrey Assistant Fire Chief Brian Woznikoski said the fire was well into the roof and pretty much gutted the 5,000-square foot house as flames shot skyward.
"It was a stubborn fire because they couldn't get entry," he said.
Paquet said Friday morning that investigators were still trying to contact the owners.
Police guarded what’s left of the house overnight and fire investigators are working through the aftermath today, trying to determine the cause.
tzytaruk@thenownewspaper.com