Suspicious fire at Surrey City Hall causes 'significant' damage to southwest exterior

A suspicious fire at Surrey City Hall in the early morning of July 13 caused significant property damage to the building's southwest exterior.

The blaze started around 3:30 a.m. in a portable toilet positioned against the building at 13450 104th Avenue. The fire's heat caused exterior glass to break, allowing smoke to enter City Hall and trigger the interior sprinkler system. Surrey Fire Services and Surrey Police Service responded to the scene.

No injuries were reported, and Surrey Police confirm there is no public danger from the fire or resulting damage. However, investigators determined the fire was human-caused, and security footage captured images of a possible suspect in the area before the fire started.

Police have released a photo of the suspect, described as a white male between 45 and 65 years old with short hair and a slim build. He was seen wearing a light-coloured ballcap, dark-coloured shirt with a graphic, dark shorts, slides with light-coloured socks, a red and white lanyard, and a dark fanny pack.

Surrey Police are asking anyone who recognizes the suspect or has information about the fire to contact the non-emergency line at 604-599-0502 and quote file 26-72511 (SP).