Massive fire destroys home in Surrey's Fraser Heights neighbourhood

Three people have lost their home after it was engulfed in flames Sunday morning, in Surrey'sFraser Heights neighbourhood.

The fire broke out sometime around 3 a.m. in the 10700-block of TilburyPlace, a small cul-de-sac street lined with large homes.

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Neighbour Dave Morleysaid he got out of bed when when he sensed something strange was going on.

"I think something awakened me, and I came downstairs and at that point ... I noticed a glow from thenextdoorneighbour's house and the popping of explosions," said Morley."It's terrible."

Morley said a woman and her two adultsons lived in the house, and added that the father recently passed away after a battle with cancer.

Surrey Fire Battalion Chief Rich Ellis said the residents made it out safely, but when firefightersarrived, flames had already done significant damage.

"First-in crews arrived and reported the fire was through the roof of one section of the house. Crews went into a defensive attack on the house just because the roof structure was unstable at that point," said Ellis.

Flames eventually engulfed the entire house, shooting flames, smoke and sparks into the air.

Neighbour Allen Pel said he woke up when he heard the fire engines arrive.

"I got woke up by the fire trucks and came outside to hear crackling, like trees on fire," said Pel, who added that ashes and embers began covering his deck.

"My wife and I took in the laundry. The sparks were landingin our backyard."

Ellis said the fire seems to have started in the garage area, though the cause won't be determined until an investigator is able to inspect the site. He said it doesn't appear to be suspicious.

"At this point it looks like it'll be a total loss for the house," he said.