Vancouver school consumed by raging flames

A fire this morning has totally destroyed a Punjabi private religious school at 45th Avenue and Prince Edward.

The fire started at the Khalsa School operated by the non-profit Satnam Society at around 7:30 a.m.

The school, made up of a number of portable classrooms, burned to the ground.

Firefighters managed to save the adjacent South Hill School.

At 9:30 a.m. the neighbourhood is filled with dense smoke and steam as the firefighters are pouring water on the remains of the smouldering rubble.

Avtar Singh Sandhu was one of the people who founded the school more than 30 years ago.

"This is a big loss to the whole community. We’re all saddened by this," he said.

"All my children went to this school. My son Deep, called this morning to tell me what had happened and he’s really upset."

The school was a valuable community resource.

It offered Punjabi language lessons and during the summer, a childrens’ program.

More to come.