RCMP investigating suspicious house, vehicle fires in Surrey

Police are investigating two suspicious overnight fires within a half block of each other in a residential Surrey neighbourhood, that appear to be connected.

The fires beganjust before 2 a.m.Wednesdaynear 134Streetand 79 Avenue.

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Surrey Fire Battalion Chief Rich Ellis said crews were first called to a structure fire in the 7900-block of 134 Street.

"That one was extinguished by the homeowner, basically. When ourfirst units arrived, that was almost out," said Ellis. "He was out there with the garden hose putting it out."

Ellis said the fire at the house appears to be a case ofarson, with a section of the frontexterior of the building burned.

"Crews were responding to that, then we did have another report of a structure fire within a half block of the first one," said Ellis. "We had another full response for that one, as well."

Fire crews found the second fire to be an SUVcrashed into a large cedar hedge, fully engulfed in flames. A video shot by bystander Rolando Lararecordedmultiple explosions as the vehicle burned.

The hedgehad also caught fire, sendinglarge flames into the air.

Surrey RCMP Sgt. David MacDonaldconfirmedthe driver appears to have been fleeing the alleged arson, before crashing into the hedge.

Meanwhile, Ellis said there were also reports of gunshots in the area, further complicating the police and fire response, but the explosions were likely coming from the burning SUV.

MacDonald said the SUV has not been reported stolenand the driver is still at large.

"We've got investigators showing up in the morning to assist with the RCMP to try to find out what actually happened here, and RCMP will be doing a full investigation," said Ellis.

Anyone with information is asked to call Surrey RCMPat604-599-0502.