Arson at Gilpin school

Arson at Gilpin school
By Dan Hilborn, Burnaby NOW assistant editor
Published Oct. 16, 2002

At least two classrooms have been temporarily relocated into the gymnasium of Gilpin elementary school after an apparent arson attack over the long weekend.
Burnaby fire chief Doug Hahn confirmed that a fire reported just before 12 noon Sunday, is now under investigation by the RCMP.
The blaze completely gutted the principal's office, caused further damage to the roof of the building and a custodian's room, in addition to causing smoke damage to several classrooms, Hahn said.
School district spokesperson David Wiebe said as many as 50 young students will have to take their lessons in the gymnasium as a result of the cleanup work.
"While we've already dealt with most of the smoke situation, two of the classrooms are out of commission for today, and we've got students in the gymnasium," Wiebe said Tuesday morning. "We're hoping to have those classes back up to speed for next week."
While the fire department initially pegged the damage at around $20,000 the final cost estimate could be higher, Wiebe said.
"The principal's office is essentially gutted, and that's unfortunate, because there were personal things in there that have been accumulated over the years," Wiebe said.
Principal Mayling Chow has been employed by the Burnaby school district for three years, and has been at Gilpin for the past two academic years. Gilpin school has about 225 students and 10 classrooms.
After the initial phone calls to the school went unanswered, a receptionist at the school called back the Burnaby NOW to apologize.
"My phone melted," she said.