Red Crow college fire was arson, say investigators

A fire that destroyed Red Crow Community College south of Calgary on the Blood Reserve last month was arson, according to investigators.

• Red Crow College on Blood Reserve destroyed by fire
• Mixed emotions over fire at Red Crow Community College

The building was once the St. Mary's residential school, which closed in the '80s. It was retrofitted to become a tribal college serving the community in southern Alberta, whichreopened in 1995.

Flames engulfed the building early in the morning on Aug.14, bringingmixed reactions from those on the reserve.

The college was planning to move its operations to a building about 25 kilometres north in Standoff.

The investigation continues, withBlood Tribe police saying insurance adjusterspegged the damage at $11 million.

Police want the public's help intracking down who is to blame.Staff Sgt.Joseph Many Fingerssays clues in the rubble of the building pointed to a crime.

"The fire investigators did their investigation and we received a report from them stating that it was arson," he said.

Anyone with information can contact the Blood Tribe police complaint line at403-737-3800.