An early morning fire that destroyed a South Surrey auto dealership and car wash last week has been deemed suspicious.
Cpl. Scotty Schumann confirmed Tuesday that the investigation into the March 2 blaze at DJ Auto Market and Super Suds Car Wash “is proceeding as a possible arson,” but said he could not provide further details “to protect the integrity of the investigation.”
Information from the public is not being sought “at this point,” Schumann told Peace Arch News by email.
The 2377 King George Blvd. business – along with an upstairs suite – was reduced to little more than a shell in the blaze, after fire broke out just before 2 a.m. last Wednesday.
Two occupants of the suite, along with a dog, escaped.
At the scene that morning, Surrey battalion Chief Gary McHarg told PAN it was unclear if the fire started in the building and spread to a vehicle parked out front, or vice versa.
Environmental crews dispatched to deal with discharge from the car-wash business into nearby waterways, including Fergus Creek, used a boom to contain as much run-off as possible.
“Some of it was contained and some of it was not,” South Surrey environmentalist Ron Meadley said Thursday, noting Semiahmoo First Nation officials were advised of potential impact to the Little Campbell River.
While both waterways appeared to be minimally affected, Meadley said monitoring would continue.
Meanwhile, a crowdfunding campaign to help the suite’s tenants with their losses has nearly doubled its $5,000 goal.
Donations as of Tuesday morning were approaching $9,000.
"They lost their home and all their belongings in a house fire. Items which many obviously can never be replaced. One can only imagine what a devastation this would be if it was to happen to one of us," a note on the gofundme page explains. "We as their friends are taking it upon ourselves to reach out to those who are close to them as many people have expressed their desire to help in some way."
To donate, visit www.gofundme.com/sksdzkck