Surrey Schools are actively addressing the aftermath of a fire at Woodland Park Elementary School, with plans to resume classes soon. The school will remain closed on Tuesday as restoration efforts continue.
On the evening of Jan. 30, fire services swiftly responded to a fire that originated in a storage room at the school. Fortunately, the fire was contained to the storage closet, as reported by Surrey Fire Services (SFS) assistant chief Mike McNamara. However, the activation of sprinklers throughout the school may have led to water damage.
Superintendent Mark Pearmain assured parents in a statement to 1130 NewsRadio that educational activities for students will recommence by Wednesday, with detailed information to be communicated to parents that evening.
Acknowledging the challenges faced by the school community, Pearmain stated the district’s commitment to replacing damaged property and library materials, as well as collaborating with staff to restore safe learning environments.
Melanie Cheng, chair of the Vancouver District Parent Advisory Council, expressed solidarity with the Woodland Park Elementary community, drawing from her own experience with a similar incident at Carleton Elementary in 2016.
Highlighting the urgency of ensuring swift repairs, Cheng emphasized the importance of maintaining safe and accessible school spaces for students.
Reflecting on previous incidents at Carleton Elementary and Hazel Trembath Elementary School, Cheng urged for efficient collaboration between districts and the province to expedite the process of restoring school facilities following fire damage.
In response to inquiries, a Ministry of Infrastructure spokesperson assured that the Surrey School District, in coordination with fire officials, is prioritizing safety measures and necessary repairs, with the Ministry’s support for immediate costs.
Confirming that the fire is non-suspicious, the Surrey Police Service provided reassurance to the community regarding the incident.