Police renew call for Hazel Trembath fire culprits to come forward
More than four months after the fire that ripped through Hazel Trembath Elementary School, police have confirmed the blaze was likely caused by a person or group.
“We want to thank everyone who has already spoken to or provided video to our investigators, but we believe that those responsible still have a story to tell,” stated Coquitlam RCMP Insp. Darren Carr in a press release.
Carr asked for “those individuals who may know who is responsible” to contact police.
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“We understand that the loss of the school has had tremendous impact on the entire community and police continue to actively pursue this complex investigation,” Carr stated.
In the days following the fire, investigators conducted hundreds of witness interviews, brought in experts, and collected more than 200 hours of video, according to Coquitlam RCMP.
Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West, who is also a Hazel Trembath parent and former student, urged those with information to come forward.
“My message to the individual or individuals responsible, or to those who know something: do the right thing. Come forward to police and provide closure to the hundreds of children and families who’ve been damaged by this unthinkable act,” he stated in a release.
Anyone with info, “no matter how small,” is asked to contact Coquitlam RCMP at 604-945-1550.
The fire was first reported after 3 a.m. on Oct. 14, 2023. When emergency crews arrived, the school was fully engulfed in flames, according to police. Firefighters spent several days after the initial blaze extinguishing hotspots on the Confederation Drive site.
An air-quality advisory was issued due to hazardous fumes.
Rebuilding
Speaking to the Dispatch following the fire, school district board chair Michael Thomas emphasized the importance of maintaining community ties. Students will have the same teachers and the same classes at Winslow they had at Hazel, he said.
“It was really important to us that we be able to keep all ten divisions togethers in the same building,” Thomas said. “The last thing we wanted to do was put one division at one school and two at another . . . tearing that community apart. They’ve already gone through enough.”
Port Coquitlam has agreed to “clear the way” for any building permits or other approvals to help rebuild the school as quickly as possible, he said.
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