South Surrey restaurant closes due to fire, other crimes reported in area

The RCMP says one person has been arrested and two others have been “identified as persons of interest” after a fire was set at a South Surrey restaurant.

Mounties say the suspicious fire at the Roadhouse Grille was just one of a few “criminal acts” in the business district along King George Boulevard. The incidents reportedly took place between Sunday night and Monday morning.

The RCMP responded to the fire around 6 a.m. Mounties say firefighters were able to put the flames out with minimal damage to the building and no injuries reported. However, in a social media post, the owners of the family restaurant say they were forced to throw out all their food, and will need to buy new coolers as a result of the fire.

“It breaks our hearts to see the extent of the damage caused by this senseless act,” the Facebook post reads. “We’re working hard to get back on our feet, but it’ll take longer than expected. Thank you for standing by us during this tough time. Your support means everything to us.”

James Shepherd, a server at the restaurant tells CityNews that this is the second fire this restaurant has had, the first one being last year in June.

“Last year, we were able to keep the restaurant open, it was just our garbage bins that were lit up,” he said. “The second time around, not so fortunate, but fortunate enough that we don’t have to close.”

He says two coolers inside the restaurant have to be replaced, and they have structural damage to a beam coming across the roof.

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“That’s what’s going to hold up the opening,” he said. “We are looking at one and a half to three months, hopefully not longer.”

Shepherd says the staff at the restaurant are all like family, and have been very helpful to the owner during this tough time. He says the things that make the restaurant what is is have not been damaged and that gives him a sense of hope.

“Fortunately for us, the fire for us was contained to the outside of the restaurant,” he said.

However, he says this is a problem that has been happening with businesses in the area and even downtown Vancouver.

“The owner just across the street that owns the fish and chips restaurant just down the street… His dumpster was lit on fire Sunday night,” he said. “This is an ongoing problem with businesses in the community… Something needs to change”

Shepherd says the police have been great with them.

“The RCMP has been absolutely phenomenal working with us, there was someone that was caught, which is a great step,” he said.

The server is keeping his spirits high and says when the restaurant is back open it will be back “big and strong.”

“There’s always a silver lining, and I feel very blessed to be where we are. We are going to come back bigger than what we were before,” he said. “Breakfasts will be served again, so come back!”

He says city engineering will come in to make sure that everything in the restaurant is safe for everyone.

The Surrey RCMP says a 27-year-old woman was arrested near the restaurant, with possible charges pending. She has since been released on an undertaking to appear in court. Two men, meanwhile, are being described as “persons of interest” in the investigation.

According to investigators, while officers were responding to the restaurant fire, other business owners nearby reported three other incidents, including two attempted break-ins, and an “act of mischief which included a small fire near a garbage can in the area.”

In one case, a business’ window was smashed, while another shop’s locks were tampered with.

“Thankfully entry was not gained into either of these businesses,” said Sgt. Tammy Lobb.

The RCMP is asking anyone who may have seen anything or who may have video of the area during the time of the incidents to contact investigators at 604-599-0502 and quote file number 2024-63604.