At 2:20 am on Sunday, November 25, alarms at the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence (PISE) building at Camosun College’s Interurban campus went off after someone broke into the building and started a fire in it.
The Saanich Fire Department responded to the alarm, and at approximately 2:45 am an intruder alarm went off in the Centre for Business and Access (CBA) building; Saanich Police brought a canine team in to investigate, and a dog found someone running out of the building.
Saanich Police contained the area and arrested a 30-year-old man believed to be responsible. He remains in custody of Saanich Police. Charges of break and enter, arson, mischief, and theft are being recommended, according to a Saanich Police press release.
As well, there were also arson and/or vandalism incidents at the Technology Centre, the Helmut Huber annex, and the Centre for Trades Education and Innovation (CTEI).
Camosun has said the person involved in this was believed to be not connected to the college.
The college said in an email that the impacted buildings were closed on Sunday due to the incident, and PISE, CBA, and CTEI will remain closed on Monday, with classes in those buildings cancelled. Students are advised to check the college website and D2L site for information from their instructors.
The college hopes to have further information to students by 3 pm on Monday.
More information on this story as it develops.