An elderly man visiting a neighbour, returned home Tuesday evening to find his house engulfed in flames. 

At about 6:30 p.m. Jan. 21, Maple Ridge Fire & Rescue were called to the house fire on 128 Avenue, just east of 216 Street. 

The first crews to arrive on scene could see that the fire was already breaching the top of the roof of the single-storey, wood-framed home and upgraded the fire to a second alarm, explained assistant chief James Clelland. 
鈥淗eavy smoke and flames coming from the rear of the building and then there was also smoke and flames showing through the front window of the building as well,鈥� he said. 
Upon discovering his house was on fire, the man immediately ran back to his neighbours to call for help. 
Clelland said he did the right thing by not re-entering the house. 
鈥淩ealized there was nothing he could do so called 9-1-1 right away, as quickly as he could, so we could respond to the fire,鈥� he said. 
About 30 firefighters with seven fire trucks were on scene for around five hours battling the blaze. 
Clelland returned to the house Wednesday morning, Jan. 22, to conduct the investigation. 
He was told the fire started in the kitchen, but was expecting to spend a good portion of the day verifying the information. 
鈥淔rom what the occupant told us, we have a fairly decent idea of what may have caused the fire. But we have to conduct our own investigation as to whether or not that actually was the cause,鈥� he said. 
Emergency Support Services were taking care of the man as the house is unlivable. 
Two cats and a dog have not been located.