No word on when Carleton Elementary will reopen after 4-alarm fire
Extensive damage to the main building of the school is still being assessed by police and restoration crews
A community is recovering in the aftermath of a four-alarm fire at Sir Guy Carleton Elementary, Friday, but there's no word yet on whether the school will be able to reopen in time for the first day of classes.
Vancouver School Board chair, Mike Lombardi, says the damage has affected all of the main building and senior staff are standing by for more information from police, who deemed the blaze suspicious.
"I was able to visit on Saturday, and there's extensive water and smoke damage throughout the whole building," said Lombardi.
"Until we hear from the restoration experts and the Vancouver Police Department, no one's allowed to go in there without clearance."
The fire was in the school's main brick building, and started at about 7:15 p.m. PT Friday evening.
It was quickly upgraded to a four-alarm blaze as officials said the flames started on the third floor and spread to the attic, where the fire was eventually contained.
Carleton was one of 12 schools on the Vancouver School Board's preliminary list for closure earlier this year because of declining enrolment, and community members are concerned the damage caused by the fire will influence the board's decision.
Lombardi says they are hoping to work through the inspections and announce more details by the end of the week.
"We've been meeting with senior staff. The principal is doing communications with the teachers and the parents and we'll be having a report soon this week to be able to consider some options for the start of the school year."
With files from the CBC's The Early Edition.