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Police ask for help identifying Surrey arson suspect

The suspect is described only as wearing a black winter coat and black baseball hat
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Surrey RCMP are hoping the public can help them identify a person who allegedly set fire to a Newton property earlier this month.

Police say the blaze, which displaced a family of seven, occurred on Dec. 1 at 9 a.m. in the 14000-block of 68th Ave.

Surrey RCMP say a suspicious person, described only as wearing a black winter coat and black baseball hat, was seen in the area during the time of the fire.

See more: Suspicious house fire in Newton displaces seven

“This was a very serious offence with the potential for very dire consequences,” said Corporal Scotty Schumann in a release. “Unfortunately all the occupants have been displaced as a result of this fire. Investigators are hopeful someone in the community may have seen something out of the ordinary and call police right away with that information.”

The day of the fire, Surrey Battalion Chief Reo Jerome told the Now-Leader the fire was “quite a loss.”

“The fire was well involved when the crew got there, the fire ended up going through the roof,” said Jerome at the time. “The crews did a great job of protecting the house next door. There was a little bit of damage, melted siding, so it was make sure the house next door was good and looked after.”

Surrey RCMP General Duty officers are leading this investigation with assistance from the Integrated Forensic Identification Services (IFIS).

Canvassing the neighbourhood for witnesses and surveillance has been done as well as a thorough examination of the scene, police say.

See also: House fire hits another Newton home

Anyone with more information is asked to contact the Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502 and quote file #2017-171353.

If you wish to make an anonymous report please contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or solvecrime.ca.



amy.reid@surreynowleader.com

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