Deceased person found inside burned Maple Ridge home

A person was killed in a house fire in Maple Ridge on Tuesday morning, Sept. 22. At about 1 p.m., Maple Ridge RCMP said a deceased person had been found inside the home in the 21000-block of 123 Avenue. The person’s identity has not been confirmed.

Emergency responders had earlier been unable to locate the home’s resident, an elderly man. Neighbours said he was generally home when his vehicle was in the driveway. Fire chief Dave Samson said the unsafe condition of the gutted house and extensive charred debris hampered firefighters’ search. The house was still smoking at 9 a.m., and Samson said at about 9:30 a.m. that crews remained in contact with the family and were continuing their search.

The fire was reported at about 6:30 a.m. Crews arrived to find a heavily involved fire that had gone through the roof and began defensive operations immediately, Samson said. Five apparatus and 20 firefighters attended, along with police, Fortis and BC Hydro crews. Samson said crews prevented the fire from spreading to neighbouring homes.

Police said there is no obvious cause and no information suggesting the fire was suspicious. The investigation is at an early stage, with all potential causes under consideration. Police are working with fire investigators and the BC Coroners Service.