Police say a fire that destroyed much of the Hornby Island School and Community Centre was suspicious.
Alarms sounded just before 3 a.m. Sunday. Hornby Island volunteer firefighters battled the blaze for hours, assisted by Denman Island Fire Rescue.
The school’s entrance, offices, staff room, gymnasium and mechanical and electrical rooms were destroyed, and there was smoke and water damage to the library. The classrooms at the back of the school had minor smoke damage.
Comox Valley RCMP are treating the fire as suspicious and have identified a person of interest.
Police ask anyone with information about the fire to contact them at 250-338-1321. Anonymous reports can be made by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or by going to comoxvalleycrimestoppers.bc.ca.
“If you have not spoken with the police and you saw anything suspicious before, during or after the fire, please call us,” said spokeswoman Const. Monika Terragni.
Administrators have found a temporary location for the school’s 45 students.
