Police urge public to avoid Port Coquitlam school fire scene due to hazardous air quality

Police are urging people to avoid the area around Port Coquitlam’s Hazel Trembath Elementary School, citing the potential for hazardous air quality as a result of the fire that destroyed the building early Saturday morning.

The hazardous air quality is expected to linger in the area for several days, and shifting wind patterns may cause smoke to change directions in the neighbourhood, Coquitlam RCMP said in a news release.

“We understand that students, staff, parents and neighbours may want to view the damage first-hand as they grieve the loss of the school,” said Corp. Alexa Hodgins, media relations officer.

“The smoke and air quality is unsafe and only officials with appropriate personal protective equipment should be near the scene.”

Mounties say the school was a “total loss” after the blaze. Crews responded to reports of the fire, which has been deemed ‘suspicious,’ just after 3:15 a.m., and police say they are working to investigate the cause.

Anyone with information is being asked to contact the Coquitlam RCMP at 604-945-1550 and quote file number 2023-27725.

With files from Charlie Carey and Raynaldo Suarez.