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

Ongoing cost-of-living crisis should trigger another housing benefit payment: Singh

The federal government needs to issue another $500 benefit payment for low-income families struggling to keep a roof over their heads, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said Thursday. Singh was in Sooke, B.C., on a cross-country summer tour where the national housing crisis and ongoing anxiety about the cost of living is taking centre stage.

Ongoing cost-of-living crisis should trigger another housing benefit payment: Singh

'Persistent' bears force 160 firefighters to pull out of B.C. Interior camp

The wildfire service says the bears threatened the safety of staff "within and around" the camp near Gold Bridge, about 100 kilometres west of Lillooet, prompting the decision to quit the camp Wednesday evening.

'Persistent' bears force 160 firefighters to pull out of B.C. Interior camp

Hiker falls to death

A man has died while hiking in B-C's southern Interior. RCMP say they received a report of a missing person on Monday after a man went paddling the night before on Vaseux Lake, north of Oliver.

Hiker falls to death

Break-ins at businesses: Surrey RCMP

R-C-M-P say they're investigating a series of break-ins at businesses in Surrey, including an incident this morning. The Mounties say eight break-ins and attempted break-ins have occurred this month and police believe all of them are related.

Break-ins at businesses: Surrey RCMP

Homicide in Prince George

A 23-year-old man has been charged in the death of a Prince George woman. R-C-M-P say the B-C Prosecution Service has approved a charge offirst-degree murder in the death of the 22-year-old woman on July 18th.

Homicide in Prince George

B.C. extends fire state of emergency, says drought could continue into next year

British Columbia is extending its provincial state of emergency over the ongoing wildfires burning in the province while warning that drought conditions could last into 2024.