The Nanaimo RCMP is currently investigating upwards of eight small fires which appear to have been intentionally set at Brechin Elementary school.
All of the fires have occurred in the month of April and no students or staff have been injured. One fire, however, resulted in the school being evacuated for several hours.
The most significant of the eight fires was reported on April 3, 2019, when City of Nanaimo Fire and Rescue crews responded to a smoke alarm, activating from the basement of the school.
Upon arrival, fire crews found a smoke filled basement. The resulting water used to douse the fire and the activation of the water sprinklers forced the evacuation of the school and caused about $5,000 in smoke and water damage.
Over the next two weeks, seven other fires that self extinguished have been found and involved pieces of paper and clothing being set on fire.
“These fires are very troubling and have resulted in the school having to put extra security in place to patrol the school and grounds after hours,” said Constable Gary O'Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP.
The Nanaimo RCMP School Liaison Unit have been tasked with the investigation and are working in conjunction with fire inspectors from the City of Nanaimo Fire and Rescue and School District 68 officials.
No arrests have been made and the investigation is continuing.
If you have any information on any of these incidents, please call the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at 250-754-2345 and quote file # 2019-11585. If you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at www.nanaimocrimestoppers.com or call 1-800-222-8477.
If you get value from KelownaNow and believe local independent media is important to our community we ask that you please consider subscribing to our daily newsletter.
If you appreciate what we do, we ask that you consider supporting our local independent news platform.
