The Delta Police Investigations Bureau is looking into a “suspicious” late Sunday night fire at a Ladner strip mall that includes the Delta Hospital Auxiliary’s thrift store.
DPD were contacted by the Delta Fire Department shortly after 11 pm, about the blaze in the 4800 block of Delta St., in the downtown core of Ladner.
The fire is believed to have started in a dumpster at the rear of the building. This led to the rear wall and then the roof of the building catching fire. Delta Fire Department was able to successfully extinguish the blaze.
“Delta fire crews made a quick response to a reported dumpster fire, it appeared to have started in a dumpster against the rear of the building and spread from there, extending into the building through the soffits,” said deputy Chief Brad Wilson. “Fire crews upgraded the call to a 2nd alarm, put out the dumpster fire, and then made an interior attack to extinguish the fire that had spread into the building.”
Police remained on scene to direct traffic and contain the scene for investigation.
“Fortunately there was no one who had to be evacuated from the property, and no one was reported injured during this incident,” said Cris Leykauf, spokesperson for DPD.
One of the hospital thrift stores was the business most significantly impacted by the fire. Other nearby units experienced smoke damage, however, Delta Bakery is the only other business that remains closed as of late Monday morning.
“Anyone who was in area and witnessed suspicious behaviour, or who may have dashcam or cellphone video, and hasn’t yet spoken to police, please call 604-946-4411 and quote file 20-30101,” says Leykauf.
