A fire that destroyed a home and garage in Aldergrove early Friday morning is being deemed suspicious, said Langley RCMP.
Langley RCMP along with Fortis BC had been at the home the day before (Jan. 21) to investigate a suspected illegal grow op there, said police.
Fortis found the gas line had been illegally diverted and police were trying to contact the owner of the home but didn't enter that day.
A fire erupted the next night, destroying both the home and a detached garage, located about 10 feet (three metres) from the house.
Township fire crews were called out to the rural property at 274 Street and 43 Avenue at about 1:15 a.m. Friday. By the time they arrived both buildings were fully engulfed, with flames shooting 40 to 50 feet in the air, said Township of Langley assistant fire chief Pat Walker.
In fact, Abbotsford fire also arrived at the scene and assisted in the beginning.
Because of the home's remote location, fire crews brought water by tanker from a source located about two and a half kilometres away.
On Friday morning, the fire department was referring calls about the blaze to the Langley RCMP.
Cpl. Holly Marks said the cause of the fire is still under investigation but the house was empty at the time of the fire and nobody was injured.
The home is a total loss and police continue their investigation.