Sir Guy Carleton Elementary fire deemed suspicious
Vancouver police say they are investigating circumstances of blaze along with firefighters
Vancouver police say a 4-alarm fire that scorched one of the city's oldest public schools has been deemed as suspicious.
"We are working with the Vancouver Fire and Rescue Service and the Vancouver School Board in relation to last night's suspicious fire at Carleton Elementary School," wrote Sgt. Randy Fincham in an email to CBC News.
The fire at Sir Guy Carleton Elementary 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 contained.
Up to 50 firefighters responded to the fire, with some remaining overnight to make sure the blaze did not restart.
Carleton was one of 12 schools on the Vancouver School Board's preliminary list for closure earlier this year because of declining enrollment. The VSB's latest plans show 274 students attend Carleton Elementary.
It's listed on Vancouver's Heritage Register and parts of it were built in 1896 while the main brick building was built in 1911-1912, according to Heritage Vancouver.
