14-year-old girl set 15-year-old girl on fire in Saskatoon high school: police

A 15-year-old girl was set on fire by a fellow student at Evan Hardy Collegiate in Saskatoon on Thursday, according to police.

"The suspect we have in custody started the other victim on fire," Saskatoon Police Service Sgt. Ken Kane told reporters at a news conference Thursday afternoon. The incident happened over the noon hour.

Teachers helped extinguish the blaze, Kane said.The 15-year-old victimwas transported to hospital withwhat arebelieved to be seriousinjuries. One teacher was also taken to hospital.

Kane said the victim's parents are with her,but there was no update on her condition.

After the incident, aschool resource officer (SRO)who was already on scene for a different matterarrested a14-year-old female suspect immediately. Other police, fire and ambulance crews arrived shortly after, Kane said.

WATCH |Teen girl lit on fire by another girl at Evan Hardy Collegiate, say Saskatoon police:

Teen girl lit on fire by another girl at Evan Hardy Collegiate, say Saskatoon police

1 day ago

Duration 12:00

Sgt. Ken Kane spoke at a news conference about an alleged assault by fire that sent a 15-year-old girl to hospital and shut down Evan Hardy Collegiate in Saskatoon Thursday afternoon. A 14-year-old girl is in custody.

SROs will continue to work closely with school board officials as the investigation continues.

Kane said the suspect remains in custody and that it's unclear what charges might be laid or when that could occur.

"This investigation is obviously very early and ongoing," he said.

He said police are working with the school division to share information and "ensure staff and students are cared for."

Kane said it's also been difficult on the officer and others who responded.

"The mood in our office is quite low," he said. "This is not something we ever expected."

No class on Friday

On Thursday afternoon, Evan Hardy Collegiate sent a letter to parents saying there would be no class on Friday and ascheduled football game was cancelled. Students will be permitted to pick up any belongingsand officials hope to resume regular classes as soon as possible, the letter says.

"At school we will continue to provide a safe, caringand compassionate learning environment. When school resumes, we will maintain daily schedules and routines as much as possible, as this provides a sense of safety, security and comfort. We will also have additional counselling support at the school to respond to students' needs," read the statement.

Curtis Tweet is a parentwhose daughter attends Evan Hardy.He questionedwhy there isn't more security in the schools.

"It's just gonna get worse and worse year after year. Like how many more kids are gonna get hurt? How many more kids [are going] to diebefore you hire security?" Tweet asked.

"There's no safe place to be in the city. I wouldn't classify school safe anywhere becausewe allow this to happen."

Tweet said it's one of the worst incidents he can recallhappening in Saskatoon.He plans to take his daughter to the lake in Fridaytospend time with her.