Image: Gail Paul / Mission crews tackled a large house fire on Best Avenue Sunday morning, January 18.
Fire at vacant home

Mission RCMP appeal for witnesses, info linked to fire at home that was vacant and for sale

Jan 20, 2026 | 8:49 AM

MISSION — Mounties in Mission say a Best Avenue home that was fully engulfed by flames and later razed to the ground over the weekend was vacant and for sale at the time of the inferno.

According to a statement from police in Mission, Mission Fire Rescue Service crews notified Mission RCMP shortly after 6 a.m. on Sunday, January 18 that they had just arrived to a fully involved house fire on Best Avenue just east of Cedar Street. Mission RCMP members attended the property, which was for sale and vacant at the time of the fire.

Mission RCMP conducted traffic control in the area while firefighters worked to extinguish the flames – an effort which lasted well into daylight hours, and required the use of an excavator to assist in safely reaching various areas of the structure.

Police now say because no one was living in the house at the time, and there was no clear reason as to how the fire started, the cause is still unknown and under investigation. Mission RCMP members say they are working with a fire investigator assigned by the Mission Fire Rescue Service, and are continuing to seek and review CCTV footage from the area. Police are asking for nearby residents that have any of the following information to call Mission RCMP at 604-826-7161, file 26-748:

-Anyone who saw any persons or vehicles on the property during the night of January 17-18;

-Anyone with CCTV footage that captures Best Avenue between Fujino Street and Hyde Street, OR Cedar Street between Badger Avenue and Cherry Avenue.

The five-bedroom gated home, located in the 32800 block of Best Avenue, had been listed for sale as recently as January 13. All “For Sale” signs have also been taken down.

The attached two-bedroom pool house also suffered a fire roughly five years ago, with property listings saying it requires a “gut job” or a”new build” as a result.