Delta house fire considered suspicious after new evidence: police

Police say a fire that damaged a Delta house early Thursday morning is now being investigated as an arson.

The Delta Police Department says crews were called to the home on 84a Avenue near 116 Street around 4 a.m.

By the time officers arrived, the house was “fully engulfed” in flame. Police say all occupants of the house were accounted for and uninjured.

Originally, the DPD reported that the cause of the fire was not suspicious. But in an update Friday, it said new evidence suggests that the fire was an act of arson.

“The Delta Police is aware of speculation on social media suggesting the fire was related to an illegal drug laboratory. There is no evidence or suspicion of a drug lab being present at this residence or involved in this accidental fire,” said the original statement by police.

Fire Battalion Chief Hardeep Dhaliwal says the loud bangs people reported hearing were probably from the exploding tires on a vehicle that was also in flames.

Police say an investigation is under way.

If you have information related to the cause of the fire, you’re asked to call the Delta Police Department at (604)940-7321 or email tips@deltapolice.ca.