Signs of a marijuana grow operation were noted at the scene of a South Surrey house that was gutted by fire Thursday morning.
Fire crews were alerted to the blaze, on a heavily treed property in the 17200-block of 16 Avenue, at approximately 6 a.m.
"(There was)… evidence there that would suggest or confirm there was a grow-op there at some time," Deputy fire Chief Karen Fry told Peace Arch News.
"We previously had it listed as a potential grow-op."
Traffic along 16 Avenue was diverted at 176 and 168 Streets while crews dealt with the fire, which had been "free-burning" for some time before it was reported. There was concern it could spread to neighbouring homes or spark a fire in the forested area, Fry said.
As of noon Thursday, firefighters were in the process of having what remained of the two-storey house demolished for safety reasons, Fry said.
"There's some precarious points of the building," she said, noting demolition is also necessary to ensure any remaining "hotspots" are extinguished.
Fry described the fire as suspicious.