Victoria school fire prompts early dismissal due to water damage

A Victoria middle school sustained water damage Monday, prompting students to be dismissed early, after a fire in a bathroom set off the school's sprinkler system.
Firefighters responded to Central Middle School at 1280 Fort Street when the school's fire alarm went off around 11:15 a.m.
"When we arrived the principal came and told us there was a small fire going in the bathroom so by the time we got into the unit the sprinkler had released and put it out," said Victoria fire Capt. Tim Hanley, adding it was the paper towel dispenser that had caught fire.
"It was quite a bit of water throughout all the second floor, dripping down into the first floor."
The school was evacuated while firefighters assessed the scene.
"Students and staff have been cleared to return to the school’s gymnasium," Greater Victoria School District spokesperson Lisa McPhail said in a notice to parents provided to CTV News.
"However, due to some water damage caused by sprinklers, the school is planning for an early dismissal."
McPhail said teachers would contact parents for permission to dismiss children early. If a guardian cannot be reached the student will remain at school until the regular dismissal time at 2:45 p.m., she said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING | Liberals withdraw controversial amendment to guns bill
The federal Liberals are withdrawing a controversial amendment to their guns bill that would have added many popular hunting rifles and shotguns to a list of prohibited firearms in Canada.

NORAD tracking high-altitude surveillance balloon detected over the U.S., Canada says
The Department of National Defence says Canada is working with the United States to protect sensitive information from foreign intelligence threats after a high-altitude surveillance balloon was detected.
Most of Ontario under extreme cold warning, Arctic blast brings biting chills
Most of Ontario is under an extreme cold warning as a blast of Arctic air delivers biting wind chills.
Migrant workers sneak secret menus into Canadian restaurants to expose exploitation
Hundreds of customers who scan QR codes for restaurant menus across Canada are being surprised by secret menus instead, revealing the hidden costs behind the food they eat.
Senate passes Liberals' controversial online streaming act with a dozen amendments
Big tech companies that offer online streaming services could soon be required to contribute to Canadian content as a controversial Liberal bill gets one step closer to becoming law.
Escaping the Taliban: CTV News' Genevieve Beauchemin meets Afghan refugees left in limbo in Pakistan
Lives were 'shattered' when Kabul fell into Taliban hands, and thousands remain in limbo, unable to return to Afghanistan. CTV News' Genevieve Beauchemin recalls her visit to makeshift refugee camps set up in Pakistani parks, and the stories she heard during that time.
opinion | How much rent can you afford?
Many Canadians have continued to see an increase in their rental rates in 2023. In an column on CTVNews.ca, personal finance contributor Christopher Liew explains how to calculate how much rent you can afford.
China: Balloon over U.S. skies is for research, wind pushed it
China said Friday that a balloon spotted over American airspace was used for weather research and was blown off course, despite U.S. suspicion it was spying. The discovery further strained already tense relations between Beijing and Washington.
Calls to restrict tobogganing prompt criticism, debate in some cities
Questions around safe sledding in winter have Canadian municipalities facing tough decisions on whether to regulate tobogganing hills.