The City of Kamloops says no one is hurt at Parkcrest Elementary, which went up in flames this evening.
Parkcrest Elementary students will be out of school from tomorrow through Sept. 13, according to a letter to parents from Kamloops-Thompson School District superintendent Alison Sidow. They will be in an alternate school for the week of Sept. 16-20.
School board chair Kathleen Karpuk tells NL News the more-than-350 students who attend Parkcrest won’t be required to be in class anywhere tomorrow. She says a contingency plan to get those students in an alternate space is still being worked on, but says she isn’t sure what that will look like, or when, at this point.
“At this point, we’re just focusing on making sure our staff are supported. Obviously they’re devastated and upset. Then we’ll be making sure our students are supported and finding an alternate space for them.”
The School District says it will be communicating all the details of the changes to the affected parents, and also says it is “developing a plan to ensure the emotional well-being and education of students.”
Meanwhile, the City of Kamloops also says it will be offering the use of city-owned facilities to help students and teachers where needed.
Around 7:30 p.m., NL News reporter Bill Cowen reported that thick black smoke and flames were still billowing from the school on Parkcrest Avenue in Brocklehurst, and says there appears to be no sign of the situation letting up.
The call for the fire came in shortly after 5 p.m.
B.C.’s Education Minister Rob Fleming acknowledged the situation on Twitter, saying “terrible news of the devastating fire” at Parkcrest.
Watch this story for updates as the situation progresses.
– with files from Victor Kaisar, Jeff Andreas and Bill Cowen
Kamloops Parkcrest elem on fire pic.twitter.com/iLkyl8lCuz
— dido (@IvonaPlay) September 6, 2019
Photo of Parkcrest Elementary School Fire by @icurtis3 #Kamloops #BreakingNews pic.twitter.com/qBvic6lQ6A
— Brett Mineer (@MineerBrett) September 6, 2019
Flames visible on the roof of Parkcrest Elementary. @Kamloops_SD73 says everyone was out of the school safety.
Parents and staff can expect a message with details soon. #Kamloops @RadioNLNews pic.twitter.com/2EAbCfULyY
— Victor Mario Kaisar (@supermario_47) September 6, 2019
Everyone has gotten out of Parkcrest Elementary safely–Kamloops Fire Dept confirms. Parents and staff can expect a direct message from us very soon. Stay safe! Keep clear of the school and let the firefighters do their work.
— Kamloops SD 73 (@Kamloops_SD73) September 6, 2019
Parkscrest Elementary Fire: update 19:32. The City has reached out to SD73 to offer any assistance by extending use of other facilities to help the children and teachers get back to school as soon as possible. SD 73 will be in touch with parents & teachers ASAP with more info
— City of Kamloops (@cityofkamloops) September 6, 2019
