Suspicious fire destroys former elementary school in New Waterford
Cape Breton Regional Police say the fire that destroyed the former St. Agnes Elementary School in New Waterford on Sunday has been determined to be suspicious.
The blaze, which fire crews spent hours battling, is under investigation by the provincial Fire Marshall's office and the police department's arson unit.
Clarence Musgrave watched the James Street building burn from his house across the street.
He said he saw white smoke coming from the building and then smoke as "black as tar."
"I guess the roof fell in. You could see the flames going up through her. There were lots of flames," he said.
Musgrave said the structure that housed the school's gymnasium "pretty well burnt to the ground."
School was closed in 2016
A total of four fire detachments from New Waterford, New Victoria, Scotchtown and Glace Bay were called to the blaze.
The school was closed in 2016, along with Mount Carmel Elementary in New Waterford.
Police said there had been no power source to the building for some time, so the fire has been determined to be suspicious. They've placed security at the scene while the investigation is underway.
There are a total of 17 schools in Cape Breton Regional Municipality closed or slated for closure due to declining enrolment.
Nearby homes watered down
Kendra Coombes, the municipal councillor for the area, said some nearby homes were evacuated.
Musgrave said fire crews began watering down two homes after flames began shooting in their direction.
"The fire department was hosing down both houses. Told them [occupants] to pack a bag, they might have to get ready to move."
'Big loss to the town'
Coombes herself attended the school from grades 4 to 6 and has fond memories of the place.
"I played basketball in that gym, so it's actually pretty sad for me, personally," she said.
Musgrave said his children and his wife and her siblings attended the school.
"The wife went to that school, [she] felt bad about it. My daughters and sons went to it. It's a big loss to the town. That's where all the joggers used to meet . . . they're going to miss it."
Municipality owns building
The wooden building, which was constructed in 1952, was turned over from the Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board to the municipality after the school closed in June 2016, said school board spokeswoman Michelle MacLeod.
"It's a sad day for former students and staff and along with community members," MacLeod said.
"There's a lot of memories in that school. It was an old building and it gave a lot back to the community."
