Port Coquitlam parents and children heartened by community response after school fire

Three days after a Port Coquitlam, B.C. elementary school was burned to the ground in a suspicious fire, parents and kids say they're still recovering emotionally, but have been encouraged by an outpouring of community support.

Hazel Trembath Elementary School, located in the city of around 60,000 residents east of Vancouver, was razed in a suspicious fireon Saturday morning.

Community members have come together to support the more than 300 families with children who went to the school, which was first built in the 1970s.

Teachers are getting ready to resumeclasses in the neighbouring city of Coquitlam. Winslow Centre, a school district facility there,will house all of the studentsin the short term.

Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West, whose son was in Grade 1 at Hazel Trembath, is himself an alumnus of the school. He says it's been challenging to discuss the idea of arson at his son's beloved school but that his city has come together in the aftermath.

"The community is rallying. I'm not surprised by that. That is the way things are in Port Coquitlam," he told Amy Bell, guest host of CBC'sOn The Coast. "Every time we've ever been touched by tragedy, people have come together and want to support one another."

The Coquitlam School Districthas already set up an online fundraiser that aims to help families whose children attend the school.

In addition, the City of Port Coquitlam has opened up the Port Coquitlam Community Centre to accept school supplies and other donations.

West said the overwhelming support reflects how important the school was to the community.

"Schools like this are way more than just buildings. They really are hubs of connection and of community in every sense of the word," he said.

Landon Comey, a nine-year-old who attended Grade 4 at the school, saidhe and his classmates were initially worried they would be split apart.

He said he will miss the dance classes, the gym, and running around the duck pond at Hazel Trembath.

LISTEN|Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West speaks about the school:

On The Coast8:18Devastating fire destroys Port Coquitlam elementary school

A devastating fire set to Hazel Trembath Elementary school has left the community in shock. Mayor of Port Coquitlam, Brad West, who once attended the school, shares how the community is recovering.

Mayor says school rebuild a priority

Students like Comey are set to be bussed to the Winslow Centre, a former high school, later this week to resume their studies.

The teachers are already at the Coquitlam facility 20 minutes away from Hazel Trembath preparingfor the kids' return, said Michael Thomas, an elected trustee from School District 43 in Port Coquitlam.

WATCH | Port Coquitlam community speaks out after loss of school:

Port Coquitlam community mourns loss of school to fire

11 months ago

Duration 1:18

Parents and students of Hazel Trembath Elementary School in Port Coquitlam, B.C., say they are still reeling from the news that a suspicious fire burned down the school on Oct. 14.

Andrea Rodriguez, whose daughter is in Grade 2 said she appreciates their efforts.

"The teachers are really doing what they can to give the kids normalcy and for that we are very grateful," she said.

Shawna Comey, who has two children that attended Hazel Trembath, said she's worried about the long-term future of the schoolchildren.

"My kids have been having a lot of questions that I don't have answers to," she said. "My worry is that the school will be split up once we move back to Park Coquitlam."

West promised to "move heaven and Earth" to make the rebuild happen, including by waiving fees and prioritizing any permitting that needs to happen. The province has said they would work with district officials to support kids and families.

"It sounds promising in terms of government support to rebuild and to rebuild as expeditiously as possible," West said.

Mounties saidanyone with video of the fire at Hazel Trembath, or who noticed anything suspicious between 9 p.m. on Friday and 3:30 a.m. on Saturday, should contact investigators on604-945-1550.