Willow Park School in southeast Calgary will be closed for the remainder of the week after a fire destroyed one of the classrooms and caused extensive smoke damage through the building.
Firefighters were called to Willow Park School, on Willow Park Dr. S.E., at around 4:00 a.m.
White smoke was seen coming from the two-storey building and several windows on the east side of the building were broken.
CFD Battalion Chief John Cherweniuk says the fire is being considered as suspicious.
"The majority of windows on the main floor on the east side of the building were broken and there were rocks found inside by firew crews."
The preliminary look at the scene shows there were multiple points of ignition for the fire, so there is strong evidence that the blaze was caused deliberately.
Parents and students at the school are shocked about the fire.
"It's horrible - I can't believe somebody would do this," says Tracy Danberger, a parent and school volunteer. "I mean, we're a community in this school. I can't believe anyone in our school would have anything to do with this,"
Haley Danberger, a Grade 7 student says that she had to present a project in class. "I'm happy I don't ahve to, but I'm very checked that school's not in cause I wanted to go cause I have dance class."
The Arson Unit is continuing to investigate the scene.
