On September 13th, 2016 at 0412 hours, at the request of the Delta Fire Department, Delta Police responded to a house fire in the 7500 block of 120th street.
It was quickly determined the house was vacant and while the investigation is still in the early stages, the fire appears to be accidental; believed to be set by squatters. The house was the subject of a demolition permit after an application was submitted to the Corporation. Investigators are no longer on scene.
Just over an hour later at 0518, Delta Police were called to a second house fire in the 7000 block of Nicholson Road. This house was also vacant and abandoned. Based on the initial investigation, it appears the fire possibly started on the upper floor and therefore caused significant damage to the house.
Fires to 2 vacant properties this morning being treated as suspicious. Fire investigators called out; no updates until invests completed.
— Delta Police (@deltapolice) September 13, 2016
Delta Police have dealt with squatters at this residence in the past, however at this point investigators do not know if there were any people in the house at the time the fire started.
Delta Police Major Crime investigators remain on scene at the second residence. There were no injuries in either house fire and it is too early to determine any connection between them.
There will be no further updates today.
