Homicide investigators have been deployed to the City of Langley after a suspicious fire Friday.
The blaze broke out in the 20500 block of 56 Avenue around 7:25 a.m., and officers remained at the scene early Saturday afternoon, more than 24 hours later.
Sgt. Freda Fong, spokesperson for the Lower Mainland’s Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, told CTV News the team deployed to the scene Friday afternoon, after a body was located inside the burned building.
While it’s early in the investigation, Fong said IHIT had been deployed because the discovery is considered suspicious.
In a statement, Langley RCMP said the deceased person was located after the fire was extinguished. Police did not share any identifying details about the deceased, such as name, age or gender.
“At this early stage of the investigation, it is unknown how the individual died, and their death is being treated as suspicious until deemed otherwise,” said Sgt. Zynal Sharoom of the Langley RCMP, in the statement.
Images from the scene show burned out windows on the second floor of a commercial building with multiple storefronts. The upper floor appears to be residential.
IHIT is working with Langley RCMP, fire investigators and the B.C. Coroners Service on the case, police said.
They asked anyone with information regarding the investigation to contact the IHIT information line at 1-877-551-4448 or to email ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
