WHALLEY — A man has been arrested and charged with arson after a dramatic fire in Surrey early Saturday morning.
Police were called to a home in the 11400-block of 142nd Street at about 1:11 a.m. Saturday (Oct. 10). More than a dozen firefighters were already on scene battling the fire.
Three people inside escaped without injury and led police to the man accused of lighting the blaze.
"They had spotted the fire burning in the backyard and were able to get out," said Surrey RCMP Cpl. Scotty Schumann.
"After speaking with them we were able to identify a suspect and a man was arrested."
Timothy Berg, a 54-year-old Surrey man who is known to police, faces charges of arson and uttering threats.
"Part of an arson charge is proving that the fire was lit on purpose and with intent. So part of the investigation will include how it was lit, where it was lit and where it was burning," explained Schumann, who wouldn't elaborate on details.
Deputy fire chief Dan Barnscher said though it was difficult, the arson investigator did find what is believed to have been the point of origin.