UPDATE: Wednesday, April 21, 2020 at 11:28 a.m.:
Surrey RCMP say the cause of the fire is not suspicious, following further investigation by the Surrey Fire Service and the police.
** This story was updated at 1:19 p.m. Monday, April 19
A man in his 60s is dead following a fire in the Whalley area of Surrey, Friday (April 16) at around 6:45 p.m.
He suffered “severe burns” from the fire, at a home in the 13500-block of 113 Avenue, and was taken to Vancouver General Hospital.
The unidentified man has now died from injuries, Surrey RCMP said in a news release Monday.
The home was fully engulfed and residents in neighbouring homes were also evacuated.
The cause of fire is still under investigation, police say.
Anyone with information about the fire is asked to call Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
On Saturday, Surrey Fire Service assistant fire chief Ben Dirksen said the damage to the home was “extensive,” and the fire was “burning through the roof” when crews arrived. In total, there were 20 firefighters working to put out the blaze.
He said the fire was “heavily involved” throughout the home, so firefighters worked to protect neighbouring homes. Dirksen added there was “minor” exterior damage to a neighbouring home.
A Black Press Media freelancer on scene said paramedics transported five others, including a firefighter, with “varying minor injuries” to hospital.
Dirksen said the firefighter suffered a lower-body injury, but it was “very minor.”
There were four people in the home at the time of the fire, Dirksen said, including the victim.
– With file from Tom Zillich
