Firefighters found more than flames in an abandoned house in Surrey on Sunday (Jan. 5).

Shortly after 4 p.m. Sunday, Surrey Police Service officers were called by Surrey Fire Service after firefighters discovered a dead man inside a structure fire at an abandoned house in the 9800-block of 138 Street in Surrey.

Firefighters located the deceased adult male inside the residence while they controlled the active structure fire, notes an SPS release, adding frontline SPS officers attended and have held the scene while also, canvassing the neighbourhood for witnesses and surveillance video.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has taken conduct of the investigation, SPS announced in a release later Monday (Jan. 6).

While the cause of the man’s death has not been determined, it is being considered suspicious at this time.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to call the IHIT information line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca