Arson suspected in overnight fire at former Orillia school, OPP say

An overnight fire at the former Mount Slaven Public School in Orillia is being investigated as arson, OPP say.

Police believe that suspects entered the building at 50 Westmount Dr. N. and started the blaze some time Thursday night.

According to acting Orillia fire chief Brent Thomas, the call was received at 12:52 a.m. Friday, and no one was injured as a result of the incident.

“It occurred near the centre of the building,” Thomas told Global News.

“There’s a gymnasium and then there’s classrooms and hallways all around it, but it was in the centre in the gymnasium area of the school.”

Thomas said the fire, which was contained within the gym and its roof area, has been put out completely.

“It took until about 9 o’clock this morning to get all of the hot spots extinguished,” he said.

According to Thomas, the cost of damage is estimated to be close to $1 million.

“There’s no concerns externally for health issues,” the acting fire chief said.

“We are aware of asbestos within the school, so we were careful to wear protective breathing devices while we were in the school.”

Thomas added that no evacuations took place in the area.

The OPP and the Ontario Fire Marshal are investigating the fire.

Officers say anyone with information can contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.

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