The quick actions of a school district facilities worker may have saved Reynolds Secondary from burning to the ground overnight.
Around 10:15 p.m. on Tuesday, an SD61 facilities employee noticed a strong odour of smoke inside the school during his shift. He went to the northeast entrance and found a jerry can on fire outside the exit doors.
“He quickly grabbed a fire extinguisher and put out the fire, and then turned around and discovered the doors had been burnt as well,” said A/Sgt. Jereme Leslie.
“There was no one seen last night, it was just the smell of smoke. We do not have any suspects, but we’re also in the infant stages of the investigation.”
The Saanich Police forensic identification team and Saanich Fire investigators attended the scene in the 3900 block of Borden Street and are currently combing through forensic evidence. Leslie said he wasn’t sure if the school had security cameras on the northeast side of the building, but noted police are working to obtain surveillance footage from neighbouring properties to find any suspects.
Leslie also said he is unaware of similar incidents happening at Reynolds or other high schools in the past.
Residents who witness suspicious activity are asked to contact the police immediately with a description of the suspect and, if the suspect leaves the area, their last known direction of travel.
Anyone with information about the arson is asked to contact Saanich Police’s non-emergency line at 250-475-4321 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
jacob.zinn@saanichnews.com