Suspicious fire under investigation at Vancouver Island school

Firefighters respond to a suspicious fire at Alexander Elementary School in Duncan, B.C., on Dec. 31, 2024. (Credit: Nigel Robertson)

Emergency crews were called to douse a suspicious fire that broke out at a school in the Vancouver Island community of Duncan on New Year's Eve.

The flames were discovered in a "back pod" at Alexander Elementary School around 10 p.m. Tuesday, the Cowichan Valley School District said in an online notice.

Crews from the North Cowichan Fire Department responded quickly and were able to prevent the fire from spreading further into the school, officials said.

"While the pod area suffered significant fire and water damage, the main building was not affected, and will be open and ready to welcome all students back to class on Monday," the district wrote.

Fire Chief Ron French told CTV News the fire is considered suspicious, given that it broke out after hours while the school was closed for the holidays.

"Somebody who wasn't supposed to be there broke in and lit the fire somehow," French said Wednesday.

The cause of the fire has not been determined, but firefighters will be investigating in co-ordination with the RCMP, he added.