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Water is being mopped up, soot scrubbed, carpets ripped out and air quality tested as Camosun College responds to a series of arsons Sunday that has left three of its buildings closed today.
“It’s a shame this happened, but no one was hurt,” said Joan Yates, vice-president of student experience for Camosun College. Everything damaged is replaceable, she said.
Camosun College said the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence, the Centre for Business and Access and the Trades Centre are closed today.
Yates is hopeful the buildings can open Tuesday and said she will know more later today.
The safety of students and staff related to air quality “is of particular concern,” Yates said.
A 30-year-old Victoria man was arrested and is facing several charges, including arson, after a series of suspicious fires around Camosun College’s Interurban campus early Sunday.
Alarm bells at 2:20 a.m. alerted the Saanich Fire Department of a blaze at PISE on Interurban Road, part of the Camosun College campus.
A full contingent of fire engines and firefighters responded.
Saanich Deputy Fire Chief Dan Wood said the larger fire, about three square metres in size, engulfed the reception desk in PISE’s fitness centre and a smaller fire, about one square metre, was found against a wall and cork board in the foyer.
Sprinklers activated, preventing the fire from spreading. Crews extinguished the fires and worked to clear the smoke. Near the foyer, firefighters found a door with a smashed window.
The good news is the sprinkler system was robust and put out the fire, but the result is inches of water being mopped up today, said Robert Bettauer, PISE’s CEO. He also said air quality is the top concern and assessments are taking place.
The fire damage was contained to the fitness centre area, he said. “I’m confident it can be restored and repaired quite quickly. My feeling is if not tomorrow, then by Wednesday [we’ll re-open] but we’re taking our time to make sure the air quality is appropriate for everyone.”
PISE is working in close collaboration with the college, he said.
Meanwhile, at about 2:45 a.m. Sunday, an alarm went off at the college’s Centre for Business and Access, Wood said. Firefighters responded and realized it was an intruder alarm, meaning someone had broken into the building.
The arsonist “cut a swath” through the campus, said Bettauer. “An incredible amount of damage was done in a short time. I’m grateful no one was injured.”
Saanich police officers used a canine team to look for a suspect. The dog quickly located someone running from the building and a 30-year-old Victoria man was arrested.
Firefighters found another smashed door in the cafeteria area of the building, where a bulletin board and papers were burned.
Fire crews left the college about 4:40 a.m. and a fire investigator remained on scene collecting evidence, Wood said.
The damage is more extensive in the PISE building due to smoke and water damage.
“It’s quite quiet here today,” said Yates, who was glad that most students in the affected areas received news of the closure.
