SURREY RCMP say that the structure fire that occurred on Tuesday at approximately 12:05 a.m. in a strip mall near the intersection of 148 Street and 108 Avenue in the Guildford area has been deemed not suspicious.

When police arrived on scene, several businesses in the strip mall were engulfed in flames and being contained by fire crews on scene. All persons who were patronising the businesses had been successfully evacuated and there were no apparent injuries.

The fire was initially treated as suspicious as witnesses observed a man fleeing from the area before the arrival of Surrey firefighters and Surrey RCMP officers. That man was then identified as a person of interest.

Investigation has since led the Surrey Fire inspector and Surrey RCMP arson investigator to determine that the fire was not an arson. The investigation is ongoing as police continue to look into the circumstances of the fire.

If you were in the area and have any information including dashcam or cellphone footage, you are requested to call Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502 and quote file 2024-14033.