National

Suspicious fire guts B.C. elementary school, plans underway for students and teachers

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 16 Oct, 2023 10:16 AM

Plans are underway to bring school life back to normal as quickly as possible for students and teachers at a Metro Vancouver elementary school that was destroyed in a suspicious weekend fire.

Coquitlam School District 43 says in a statement to families on its website that plans are in the works to support continued learning for the school community at Hazel Trembath Elementary School in Port Coquitlam.

Coquitlam RCMP say they are investigating a suspicious fire at the school, which was fully engulfed when first responders arrived at the scene early Saturday.

Terrible news this morning of a fire at Hazel Trembath Elementary school in Port Coquitlam this morning. Thank you to firefighters for responding so quickly and ensuring the fire did not spread. We will support school district, parents and students through this difficult time. https://t.co/wrdOowXApD
— Rachna Singh (@RachnaSinghNDP) October 14, 2023

1/I’m absolutely devastated to see the images of Hazel Trembath gone. As a former student myself & the parent of a Grade 1 student there, I know what a special place Hazel is. This is heartbreaking.

I’ve spoken with our Fire Department, our School District & senior city staff. pic.twitter.com/KbP1dtJkng
— Brad West (@BradWestPoCo) October 14, 2023

The RCMP urged the public to avoid the area in and around the school due to potentially hazardous air quality caused by the fire, saying road closures near the school should be expected for several days as the investigation continues.

About 215 students attended Hazel Trembath Elementary School.

The school district statement said "this is very sad news for our students, staff, and school community."

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

BC leg Fall session starts tomorrow

The fall session of the legislature begins on Tuesday and the B-C government says homes, clean energy and public safety will top the agenda. House Leader and Minister of Housing, Ravi Kahlon says several pieces of legislation will be introduced during the seven week session, including plans to resolve zoning and permitting challenges and boost the supply of middle-income housing.

BC leg Fall session starts tomorrow

Orange Shirt Day march at UBC

A march will be held on the University of B-C's Point Grey campus tomorrow in honour of Canada's third Truth and Reconciliation Day. The march also honours those who suffered at -- or did not come home from -- Indian residential schools in B-C and across the country.

Orange Shirt Day march at UBC

The Canadian Inflation Struggle Balancing Everyday Expenses and Housing Costs

Surely, Canadians, particularly those with lower incomes, are grappling with the impact of rising prices. A recent report shedding light on how inflation is affecting both the Canadian economy and households reveals that inflation began to rise in early 2021 and reached its highest point in four decades last year.

The Canadian Inflation Struggle Balancing Everyday Expenses and Housing Costs

Man dies in Edmonton mall parkade after standing up through car sunroof: police

Edmonton police say they are investigating the death of a man in a mall parkade after he stood up through the sunroof of a car and was struck by a beam. Officers responded to the call Thursday at West Edmonton Mall.

Man dies in Edmonton mall parkade after standing up through car sunroof: police

B.C. issues certificate for contentious Roberts Bank terminal expansion project

The British Columbia government has issued an environmental assessment certificate for the contentious container port expansion project at Roberts Bank, saying the province "could not prohibit the project from going forward." In a written statement, the government says the three-berth marine container terminal in Delta, B.C., south of Vancouver, rests almost entirely on federal land.

B.C. issues certificate for contentious Roberts Bank terminal expansion project

Friend of slain B.C. Sikh advocate says police warned him of threat after killing

A member of the Surrey, B.C., gurdwara where local Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar served as president before he was gunned down in June said police warned him last month about a threat to his life. Gurmeet Toor, who calls himself a close friend of Nijjar, said he was surprised when two police officers knocked on his door at around 11:30 p.m. on Aug. 24 and handed him a "duty to warn" letter saying his life may be in danger.