Cedar Hill Middle School was closed Friday due to damage caused by vandals using fire extinguishers inside.
District spokesperson Lisa McPhail said it appears that those responsible broke into the building “and discharged fire extinguishers around the school.”
“Unfortunately, given the current condition of the school, crews require additional time to complete cleaning up the damage from last night’s vandalism,” the Greater Victoria School District said in Twitter message. “Thank you for your understanding!”
The cleanup is expected to continue through today.
The district had originally said the school could open at noon before deciding on a full-day closure.
A third party will called in to do an inspection and an indoor air-quality test on Sunday.
“We need to ensure that the air quality is safe for the return of students and staff,” McPhail said.
Saanich police said they responded to an alarm at the school about 3:15 a.m. and saw that the building had been entered. The damage was “extensive,” police said.
Const. Markus Anastasiades said when the foam from the extinguishers dissipates it turns into dust.
“The dust is what’s causing the lengthy remediation process and the school closure.”
Police haven’t seen an act of vandalism of this magnitude at a school “in quite some time,” Anastasiades said.
“I don’t recall the last time we dealt with a file like this,” he said. “Not only did it do a lot of damage costing money, it has caused families to look for an immediate alternative with child care on a Friday. It’s quite unfortunate that this has happened.”
The school has about 500 students in Grades 6-8.
Police ask anyone with information or who saw anything suspicious near the school early Friday to call Saanich police at 250-475-4321 or Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
