3 p.m. update:
Fire at the old Sir James Dunn Collegiate and Vocational School site, currently undergoing demolition, was deliberately set.
Sault Fire Service crews were called to the scene at 6 a.m. Wednesday after receiving a 9-1-1 call and extinguished the flames in the building's interior.
"We've investigated the fire and determined it was an intentionally-set fire," confirmed Paul Milosevich, Sault Fire Services deputy chief, speaking to SooToday Wednesday afternoon.
Milosevich said the investigation has now been handed over to the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service.
The Ontario Fire Marshal's office is not involved in the investigation.
Milosevich said there were no injuries involved in the fire.
An employee of Colin's Haulage Inc. of Sudbury, the company demolishing the building, told SooToday the wrecking crew showed up at the old Dunn site at 6:30 a.m. to find fire crews on scene.
"There were a couple of fires, one bigger fire in one of the shop areas and a couple of smaller ones in the old change rooms," the employee said.
Security has been an issue at the Dunn demolition site, Milosevich said.
"We've discussed security issues with the contractor there (Colin's Haulage)…about security and unauthorized entry to abandoned buildings and we've talked to them about security being ramped up, under the circumstances," Milosevich said.
10:44 a.m. update:
The cause of a fire at the old Sir James Dunn Collegiate site, currently undergoing demolition, is still under investigation.
Fire crews were called to the scene at 6 a.m. Wednesday after receiving a 9-1-1 call and extinguished the flames in the building's interior.
An employee of Colin's Haulage Inc. of Sudbury, the company demolishing the building, told SooToday the wrecking crew showed up at the old Dunn site at 6:30 a.m. to find fire crews on scene.
"There were a couple of fires, one bigger fire in one of the shop areas and a couple of smaller ones in the old change rooms," the employee said.
Paul Milosevich, Sault Fire Services deputy chief, would not confirm arson was involved, stating the cause of the fire is still currently under investigation.
Milosevich said there were no injuries involved.
SooToday will have more details as they become available.
Earlier coverage:
Local SooToday readers report fire trucks and smoke at the former Sir James Dunn site in the east end.
No word on the extent of the fire, or its cause. The structure, long closed, is in the process of being demolished.