North Vancouver RCMP and management at Capilano University are asking who would want to set fire to the CapU library. omeone broke into the library via a side door sometime after 12:30 a.m. on Jan. 2 and set fire to an administrative section of the building.
She blaze was discovered by campus security who called 9-1-1. The building's sprinkler system kicked on and prevented the fire from spreading but fire, smoke and water did damage some computers and office furniture.
District of North Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services put out the remaining flames. Police and fire investigators agree the blaze was deliberately set. nearby wall safe was also found pried open but police could not say what had been inside.
A nvestigators are reviewing security camera footage from campus in hopes of getting a look at the suspect. They're also trying to figure out a motive for the break-in and arson.
"We're taking statements from the manager of the library, administration and staff to see if there's a disgruntled employee or student or someone who has a vendetta or grudge," said Cpl. Richard De Jong, North Vancouver RCRCMP spokesman. "Or if we're looking at someone who thought there was some value in breaking into the safe and while they're doing that, sought to torch the place."
Staff at Cap too are baffled but are mainly grateful no one was hurt and the damage was contained, according to Susan Doig, director of facilities on campus. Classes weren't affected by the blaze and records stored on the computers shouldn't be affected, Doig said.
"There doesn't appear to be anything lost that wasn't recoverable. There's no damage to the book collection," she said.
Anyone with information about the fire and break-in is asked to contact RCRCMP.
