Man found dead after fire engulfs Maple Ridge home

A man was found dead inside a Maple Ridge home after a fast-moving fire engulfed the single-storey house Tuesday morning.

Maple Ridge Fire and Rescue was called to the 21400-block of 123 Avenue just after 6:30 a.m. on Sept. 22, according to fire chief Dave Samson.

“When we arrived, we found a single-family dwelling fully involved, fire right through the roof of the structure,” Samson said.

The intensity of the fire and concerns about the structural integrity of the roof prevented firefighters from entering the home, forcing crews to fight the blaze from outside.

With neighbouring homes and trees nearby, Samson said firefighters initially focused on preventing the flames from spreading.

“If you could picture a single-storey rancher house, where every square inch of it is on fire through the roof, and with regular city setbacks, a lot of trees in the area — certainly very, very close to spreading,” he said.

“Our crews focused on that priority.”

Firefighters were told there could still be someone inside the house. A vehicle was parked in the driveway, and a neighbour told crews that its presence typically meant the home’s lone occupant was there.

Unable to safely enter through the structure, firefighters eventually removed an entire exterior wall to reach the bedroom area.

At approximately 10 a.m., crews located a deceased man inside.

Samson said only one person was believed to have been living in the house. The homeowner, who is a relative of the deceased, later arrived at the scene and was informed of the death.

The identity of the person had not been formally confirmed as of Tuesday afternoon, according to Maple Ridge RCMP.

Police said there is currently no information suggesting the fire was suspicious, although the investigation remains in its early stages and all potential causes are still being considered.

RCMP officers attended the fire to assist with traffic control, public safety and scene security. Police are now working with fire investigators and the BC Coroners Service.

Approximately 20 firefighters responded to the blaze with five heavy apparatus and two command units.

Samson said the house suffered significant damage throughout. Crews remained at the property Tuesday to extinguish hot spots and smouldering areas.

123 Avenue was closed in the area during the response, but Samson said there were no other significant impacts to the city.

No firefighters were injured.

The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.