Nanaimo RCMP are investigating at least 8 small fires at a local elementary school that appear to have been intentionally set.
The fires, described as relatively small, were at the Brechin Elementary school. All occurred this month, and no students or staff have been injured.
However 1 fire forced the evacuation of the school for several hours.
The most significant of the eight fires was on Wednesday April 3rd. Fire crews were called after a smoke alarm activated in the school basement. On arrival, fire crews found a smoke filled basement.
Water used to douse the fire, as well as water from the sprinkler system led to evacuation of the building and caused about $5000 in damage.
Seven other small blazes set over the next 2 weeks involved pieces of paper and clothing being set on fire. One occurred inside the school and involved a wad of toilet paper set ablaze.
Thankfully those fires self-extinguished and did not result in further damage.