Fire set at local school

By Dan Hilborn
Published Apr. 22, 2006


Burnaby RCMP are investigating after a fire was reported on the roof of Morley community school in the afternoon of Easter Monday.

Firefighters responded to a call at the school at 1:44 p.m., April 17, to find black smoke rising from the roof above the front entrance of the school.

While there was no actual fire damage to the school, investigators discovered a rooftop skylight was broken, and smoke ejectors were needed to clear the air inside the building. There were also indications that the perpetrators tried to get inside the school.

Sabrina Del Monte, manager of communications for the Burnaby school district, confirmed that police are reviewing some kind of surveillance information, however, no suspects have been identified at this time.

"My understanding is that there is some video or surveillance," Del Monte said, although she was unable to confirm reports that a group of five young people are being sought.

She noted that there was relatively little damage from the fire, and classes inside the school resumed as normal after the Easter holiday.

Del Monte also said that if any students are identified they will be dealt with under the district's policy manual.

"We don't know if it was a student at this point, and I think we need to be careful about drawing conclusions before the police complete their investigation," she said.

"Once we have that information and the police have concluded their investigation, the district will look at all the information and make a determination on action that is the best path taken for all involved.

"We want to find the most positive resolution for everybody."