Red Deer RCMP investigate arson at two schools

RED DEER, Ab – Police are investigating the possibility that fires at two different Red Deer schools earlier this week may have been deliberately set.

Emergency crews were called to Notre Dame High School around 4 a.m. on Monday after someone discovered a shed had caught fire.

Firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze, and credit a working sprinkler system with keeping it from spreading.

About two hours later, emergency crews were called to St. Francis of Assisi School after a dumpster fire was reported.

The fire was contained to the dumpster and extinguished. Neither of the schools were damaged by the fires.

RCMP are investigating both blazes as arsons, and ask anyone with information to call Red Deer RCMP or Crime Stoppers.

“RCMP take arson very seriously,” says a news release issued on Thursday. “These are criminal acts, not pranks, and are treated as such by investigators. Fire can easily spread from one source to other locations, with the potential for loss of human life, loss of livelihood and significant social and financial costs.”