Vancouver man charged following Emily Carr University fire

Police say charges have been laid against a Vancouver man following anarson fire that forced the closure of Emily Carr University earlier this month.

Nathan MacLeod, 40, was arrested Oct. 11, and has been charged with two counts of break and enter, and one count of arson.

Rob Maguire, director of communications at the university, says the school has no reason to believe that MacLeod was connected with the university and confirmed that MacLeod had never attended, nor did he work there.

Police were called to the school at 520 East 1st Ave.at around 8:30 a.m. on Oct. 5, following afire that investigators quickly identified as suspicious.

No one was hurt in the fire, but fire and water from the sprinkler caused some damage to the research and industry office and the painting and drawing studios on Level 4. The school says very few artworks or personal belongings were damaged.

Ina statement issued Tuesday,university officialssaid the fire was fully extinguished by its sprinkler system, which limited fire damage, but there was significant water damage to the walls and ceilings, leading to class cancellations until after the Thanksgiving weekend.

"While every effort is being made to get Emily Carr back to its original state, unfinished walls or relocated shops, classrooms and studios will be a regular part of many students' experiences for several weeks," the school wrote.

MacLeod is expected to appear in provincial court in Vancouver onTuesday.

Anyone with information about the fire is asked to call Vancouver police at 604-717-2541.