Fire at Kamloops, B.C., elementary school was intentionally set, police say

The roof of Westmount Elementary is seen after a fire on Sunday, Oct. 26. (Courtesy: Castanet)

An elementary school in Kamloops, B.C., will be closed for several weeks after a suspicious fire damaged its roof early Sunday morning.

Kamloops Fire Rescue told Castanet firefighters arrived at Westmount Elementary, located at 745 Walkem Rd., just before 1 a.m., and a total of 22 members in six trucks responded.

The Kamloops RCMP are now asking for any leads in the case.

“It appears that there was someone on the roof of the school when the fire broke out,” said Staff Sgt. Chris Kienzle, in a statement. “The fire is believed to be intentionally set, and our investigation is ongoing.”

A statement on the school’s website says there will be no access to the building for several weeks. There will be no class on Monday and the students will be relocated to a different school by Tuesday.

The statement says parents will receive an update by Monday afternoon detailing the “transition and relocation plans,” including transportation and student support.

Police asked anyone with information to call the Kamloops detachment at 250-828-3000.