Photo courtesy Abbotsford Police Department
A man is dead and another is in custody following a fire at the Peardonville homeless encampment on provincial land in the 31500 block of South Fraser Way on Friday evening.
At approximately 6:09 p.m., Abbotsford Police patrol officers responded to reports of a blaze at the site. When officers arrived, they secured the area and confirmed the fire was contained to a single wooden structure. Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service crews extinguished the flames, and a man was discovered deceased inside.
Police have since confirmed the incident is being treated as a homicide. One man was arrested at the scene by patrol officers and remains in custody.
The Abbotsford Police Department’s Major Crime Unit has begun the investigation, which is now being transitioned to the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT). Authorities say the case is in its early stages, with additional resources being deployed to determine the circumstances surrounding the death.
Investigators have emphasized that the incident was isolated and targeted, assuring the public there is no ongoing risk.
IHIT will provide further updates as the investigation progresses. Anyone with information is asked to contact the IHIT Infoline at 1-877-551-4448.
