Surrey church space destroyed in strip mall fire

A fire early Monday destroyed a commercial unit in Surrey that served as a church for African and Latin communities. The fire, which broke out around 2:30 a.m., was reported by police who noticed smoke and flames near the Gateway Skytrain station. Jonathan Gallardo, a leader at Breath of Life Church, expressed his sorrow as he looked at the damage. Just a day before, the church was filled with worshippers. Gallardo mentioned that the church had only been in the space for eight months and had been a vital part of the community. One man was seen leaving the building and was arrested, but he was later released after investigators decided the fire was not suspicious. Several businesses in the strip mall were damaged, with at least one unit completely destroyed. Neighbors reported broken windows in nearby units. Eddie McGee, a member of the All Nations Full Gospel Church, also mourned the loss, saying it felt like a family. He had been attending that church for over a decade and described it as a significant loss for the community. Despite the setback, Gallardo expressed determination to find a new place for the church to continue serving the community.