Body found in charred remains of fire at gas station in Surrey, B.C.

SURREY, B.C. – RCMP say one person has been found dead inside a gas station destroyed by fire in Surrey, B.C.

The pre-dawn blaze gutted the Petro Canada station and convenience store in the city’s Port Kells neighbourhood.

A statement from police says the unnamed victim was located when firefighters were able to search the building after flames were controlled.

A cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The blaze was directly across the street from a federal election polling place but an Elections Canada official says voting was not disrupted.

The Port Kells Community Hall opened as planned at 7 a.m. local time, although the official says Elections Canada staff directed people to the centre because two nearby streets were closed at the height of the fire.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 21, 2019