Homicide investigators spent the night knocking on doors after six people were found dead Friday in a single apartment unit in Surrey, B.C.

RCMP describe the crime scene at an apartment on East Whalley Ring Road as graphic.
(CBC)

Residents of other apartments in the building, said police woke people up and asked them if they had seen anything suspicious. They were also warned by police to keep their doors locked, residents told CBC News on Saturday morning.

Police are releasing few details about how the people died but spokesman Sgt. Roger Morrow said it was a "graphic homicide" and there were people at the scene with blood running down their faces when police arrived Friday afternoon.

Police were expected to give an update on the investigation Saturday morning.

Police have not yet released the identity of any of the victims, but have confirmed all are adults who were in one condominium on the 15th floor at an apartment building in the 9800 block of East Whalley Ring Road.

"We have not yet been able to determine who these individuals are," said Cpl. Dale Carr, a spokesman for the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team.

"We have not been able at this time to determine the gender or the race of these individuals," Carr said Friday night.

RCMP cordoned off several blocks along East Whalley Ring Road and 100 Avenue Friday night.
(CBC)

Carr said there is "a lot of canvassing" to do at the crime scene, where the bodies are expected to be removed Saturday morning.

The high-rise condominium building has mix of rental and owner-occupied suites, according to residents.

Initial report of gas leak

RCMP were called by the Surrey Fire Department to what was originally thought to be the scene of a gas leak at the building.

Emergency personnel, including ambulances, fire crews, the hazardous materials team, along with police, arrived at the scene around 4:30 p.m. PT on Friday.

Police closed major roads in the area, including the King George Highway and the Fraser Highway, to traffic for several hours in the evening. The King George Skytrain Station was also closed for a period of time and was later reopened.

Hazardous materials team members entered the building and discovered six bodies, Carr said.

Police were not able to say if the call about a gas leak was genuine and related to the deaths, but residents said there was still no hot water in the building on Saturday morning.