Fire that gutted Surrey strip mall no longer considered suspicious: RCMP

Police in Surrey say they no longer believe a fire at a strip mall in Guildford early Tuesday morning was suspicious.

Just after midnight, Surrey RCMP received reports of a structure fire near the intersection of 148 Street and 108 Avenue.

Officers found several businesses engulfed in flames with crews at the scene working to contain the fire.

Everyone inside the stores was evacuated and no injuries were reported, police said.

Investigators said they initially believed the fire was suspicious because a witness had seen a man fleeing the area prior to emergency crews’ arrival.

However, a follow up by police and the Surrey fire investigator subsequently found it was not an arson.

An investigation into how the fire did start is ongoing, police said.

Anyone with information or video that could help the investigation is asked to contact Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502.