By MATT KIELTYKA, 24 HOURS
2008 March 3
They don't build them like they used to.
Despite being gutted by huge flames early yesterday morning, fire fighters believe Vancouver's Carleton Elementary schoolhouse, on Kingsway near McKinnon Street, is still standing because of its sturdy late-19th century construction.
"The building's age probably helped save it," Vancouver Fire Rescue battalion chief Howard Brown told 24 hours. "The trusses they use now are made out of two by fours and probably would have failed. But here it was a heavy beam construction that was stronger and didn't burn as quick."
The sound structure of the city's oldest schoolhouse also bought 30 firefighters more time to put out the two-alarm blaze.
Brown said the fire was "going real good" but the flames were restricted to the attic.
The rest of the schoolhouse, which houses two kindergarten classes these days, suffered extensive water and smoke damage.
Nearby residents could do nothing but watch as the building went up in flames and expressed their concerns for the historical site.
"There is a sense of loss," explained Alvin Lau, who lives near the school. "It's a unique thing in Vancouver that you don't find very much these days."
The cause of the fire is not yet known, but Vancouver police arson investigators were on the scene yesterday.
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