An overnight fire at North Vancouver’s Dorothy Lynas Elementary has been deemed suspicious by the District of North Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services (DNVFRS).

Around 12:45 a.m., Friday, DNVFRS responded to alarms ringing at the school and quickly located a fire on the south side of the building.

DNVFRS Assistant Chief Scott Ferguson told CityNews that crews spent 25 to 30 minutes fighting the fire at multiple units, involving a doorway and the roof. 

Firefighters had to go under the roof and open up walls to prevent the fire from spreading. Smoke damage is evident throughout the building.

A total of five units responded to the fire, with 25 firefighters working. 

While the investigation into the fire is in the preliminary stages, it seems to have been started at the southern end of the building, says the North Vancouver RCMP.

The school remained closed on Friday but will re-open on Monday, Oct. 5.