More than $60,000 raised for Sask. teen, victim seriously injured in alleged school fire attack

Donations are pouring in for the Saskatoon teen who was seriously injured when a classmate at Evan Hardy Collegiate set her on fire last Thursday, sending shockwaves through the school community and across the province.

Two student witnesses told CBC News they saw the suspect pour liquid on the victim and then raise his hand to her head in the hallway just before the fire started. Grade 9 student Lexxi Sparvier said she called 911 after teachers yelled at the victim to roll over and one of them used a fire extinguisher to put out the flames.

Court documents allege the 14-year-old girl “attempted to murder (the victim) by dousing her in a flammable liquid and setting her on fire.”

Nearly 900 backers of a crowdfunding campaign have contributed more than $60,000 to the family of the 15-year-old victim, who was flown to an Edmonton hospital and is believed to be in serious but stable condition. The campaign page says the funds will be used to cover travel and lodging expenses for the girl’s parents while they are with her in Edmonton.

“She is a kind, caring, happy young woman who is much loved by all who have the pleasure of meeting her,” says the fundraiser, organized by the victim’s cousin. “The road ahead of this recent tragedy is expected to be a long one.”

A 14-year-old girl, who cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, was charged Friday with attempted murder, arson and aggravated assault in the incident. She is currently in custody and is expected to appear in court in Saskatoon again on Wednesday.

Saskatoon Police (SPS) are still investigating the incident. According to police, a School Resource Officer (SRO) who was with Evan Hardy for another reason quickly intervened before other emergency responders arrived.

WATCH | Eyewitnesses Recount Disturbing Scene at Evan Hardy Collegiate:

Witnesses describe alleged arson attack at Saskatoon high school

A 15-year-old girl was taken to hospital with serious injuries after a 14-year-old girl allegedly set her on fire at Evan Hardy Collegiate in Saskatoon on Thursday. Lexxi Sparvier and Sophie Hubbard are Grade 9 students at Evan Hardy who witnessed what happened and spoke to the media on Friday.

Classroom safety of ‘greatest concern’: Education Minister

According to the principal and Saskatoon Public Schools, students at Evan Hardy were sent home early Thursday afternoon after the incident and classes were cancelled for Friday and Monday. However, the school remained open to provide guidance and support.

Classes were scheduled to resume on Tuesday, but Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation President Samantha Becotte said the incident is still having an impact on students, teachers and families.

“It’s definitely a devastating time. And everyone is still grappling with the fact that something like this could happen in a school,” she told CBC News Monday morning.

“We are thinking of the staff at Evan Hardy and the challenges they face as they return to school and welcome students back to school. Many of them are also very shocked.”

Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill on Monday called it “a terrible incident” and thanked school staff, teachers and the SPS for their quick responses.

“It just shows you how valuable it is to have a school resource officer on the ground,” he said during an unrelated media appearance in Regina. “And I think, as unfortunate as the situation is, and I know we have people recovering from injuries, I can’t help but think it could have been worse. And so I’m glad it wasn’t.”

Sask. NDP Opposition Leader Carla Beck said she had contacted the victim’s family and called the stories she had heard about the incident “horrific.”

“We all hope for the best possible outcome for the injured,” she told reporters Monday during an unrelated announcement.

Becotte says the incident has sparked conversations about whether all schools should have enough resources to keep students and teachers safe, and she hopes those conversations will continue.

“This is not a battle within one school, but right now we really need to focus on supporting the staff (at Evan Hardy) and the school community so that they have the support they need during this difficult time,” she said.

Beck said the details of the incident are not yet clear, but that support for students overall is “inadequate” and that it has “very real consequences” for students and schools.

Cockrill said school safety was “the paramount concern” and that the government was open to further discussions about “ensuring the safety of students and preventing incidents like this in the future.”