Image: RCMP supplied / Aftermath of fire at Hazel Trembath Elementary School in Port Coquitlam on October 14, 2023.

By Fraser Valley Today Staff

Human-Caused

RCMP determine a person is to blame for an October fire at a Port Coquitlam school

Mar 1, 2024 | 8:37 AM

COQUITLAM — Coquitlam RCMP have determined a devastating fire at Hazel Trembath Elementary School in Port Coquitlam last fall, was human-caused.

Emergency officials were called to the school fire at 3:17 a.m. on October 14. They arrived to discover the school was fully engulfed by flames. The Port Coquitlam Fire Department battled the flames for several days, dealing with smoldering embers and fire flare-ups under the rubble.

Image: RCMP supplied / Fire crews mop up fire at Hazel Trembath Elementary School in Port Coquitlam on October 14, 2023.

Upon extinguishing the fire, investigators faced the challenge of an expansive scene examination. 200 hours of video footage, hundreds of interviews, and numerous tips have been reviewed since the incident.

In a news release Friday, police announced investigators have come to a conclusion. “At this time, we believe that the fire was human-caused and are asking those responsible or those individuals who may know who is responsible to contact the Coquitlam RCMP,” said Inspector Darren Carr, Acting Officer in Charge of Coquitlam RCMP. “We understand that the loss of the school has had a tremendous impact on the entire community and police continue to actively pursue this complex investigation.”

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During the investigation, police had reached out to the public seeking information or video footage between 1:30 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 14, 2023. They remain hopeful those with knowledge of the person or people behind the fire, will contact Coquitlam RCMP at 604-945-1550 and quote file number 2023-27725. Police say no detail is considered too small in aiding the ongoing investigation.