About 20 people were evacuated from the Haney Hotel early Thursday morning after a suspicious fire.
Maple Ridge Fire and Rescue received a call of a fire at around 4:45 a.m. on July 3, at the corner of 222 Street and Lougheed Highway, and learned through dispatch that somebody was seen lighting garbage on fire outside the south west corner of the building.
In a video posted online flames could be seen coming from ground level underneath the liquor store sign.
Fire crews upgraded to a second alarm, and when they arrived on scene fire had breached the exterior of the building to an enclosed exterior space.
There were 19 firefighters on scene and six heavy fire apparatus.
One eastbound lane of Lougheed Highway was closed while crews put out the fire.
Out of an abundance of caution, the hotel was evacuated, said fire chief Dave Samson.
Crews were able to knock down the flames within about one hour.
"We were able to control the fire with very limited fire extension," said fire chief Dave Samson, noting fire crews continued the overhaul phase further inside the building and to the roof to make sure the fire didn't spread.
The evacuation lasted about two hours.
Samson noted nobody was injured, although BC EHS was on standby.
Ridge Meadows RCMP were also on scene.
Crews were on scene for a better part of the morning.
"Just monitoring conditions to make sure it was all safe," said Samson.
Damage was limited to the rear portion of the building.
"The fire is considered suspicious," said Samson, adding both Maple Ridge Fire and Rescue and the Ridge Meadows RCMP are investigating.
The investigation is ongoing and the cause undetermined at this time, he said.
