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

Canada stands ready for earthquake help: Trudeau

Thousands of buildings were reported collapsed in a wide area extending from Syria’s cities of Aleppo and Hama to Turkey’s Diyarbakir, more than 330 kilometres to the northeast. Some 18,000 people were killed in similarly powerful earthquakes that hit northwest Turkey in 1999.

Canada stands ready for earthquake help: Trudeau

Former Liberal MP seeks dismissal of charges

Raj Grewal's lawyer argues that prosecutors have not presented enough evidence to find him guilty of the two breach of trust charges, and the Crown has failed to establish essential elements required for such a finding.

Former Liberal MP seeks dismissal of charges

Throne speech starts off B.C. legislature

Premier David Eby says economists are predicating a "global slowdown and potentially recession" and his government is focused on keeping the economy strong by building trade relationships and supporting businesses.

Throne speech starts off B.C. legislature

Gloomy 2023 B.C. housing forecast, but 2024 better

Association chief economist Brendon Ogmundson blames expected sluggish sales this year on a slowing economy and ongoing, elevated mortgage rates. The forecast predicts residential sales in B-C will skid 7.1 per cent this year before surging nearly 24 per cent in 2024.

Gloomy 2023 B.C. housing forecast, but 2024 better

Woman dead, man critical in Surrey, B.C., attack

The survivor has life-threatening injuries, but police say the public is not believed to be at risk. IHIT is trying to determine if the tripped alarm and triggered sprinklers could be linked to the case.

Woman dead, man critical in Surrey, B.C., attack

IHIT identify Burnaby shooting victim as a 17 year old male

IHIT investigators have identified the victim as a 17-year old man, who lived in the complex in which the shooting took place. At approximately 9:15 a.m. a White Nissan Rogue was reported to have been set on fire in the area of 173 Street and 101 Avenue in Surrey.