A 68-year-old man has been charged in connection to an assault and arson investigation that occurred in Whalley this past summer.

On August 28, shortly after 10 a.m., Surrey RCMP responded to a report of a structure fire in the 13000-block of 112A Avenue, where a residence was fully engulfed in flames. Three individuals from inside the residence were rushed to an area hospital suffering from smoke inhalation, one of whom also suffered from injuries consistent with having been assaulted.

The Surrey RCMP General Investigation Unit (GIU) assumed conduct of the investigation and after completing a thorough analysis of the evidence, identified a suspect. On November 19, David Thind was charged with arson, disregard for life, assault, and uttering threats, and a warrant issued for his arrest. On November 23, Thind was arrested and remains in custody. Thind is known to police.

“If not for the quick action of the residents, this deliberately set fire no doubt could have had more tragic consequences,” said Staff-Sgt. Kirk Duncan, Surrey RCMP General Investigation Unit Commander, on Monday.  “Our partnership with the Surrey Fire Service and the cooperation of several witnesses enabled investigators to identify the suspect and gather sufficient evidence to support criminal charges.”

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502, or Crime Stoppers, if they wish to remain anonymous, at 1-800-222-8477 or www.solvecrime.ca.