“She didn’t deserve this”: Student shocked and frightened when girl is set on fire

Warning: This story may contain details that may be disturbing to some readers. The Kids Help Phone is available 24 hours a day at 1-800-668-6868 or by text at 686868. Adults can reach Saskatoon Mobile Crisis 24 hours a day at 306-933-6200. Mental health support is also available at 306-655-7777 in Saskatoon or HealthLine 811.

Two students at Evan Hardy Collegiate in Saskatoon are telling their story after they say they were just metres from the scene where a 15-year-old girl was set on fire at the school on Thursday afternoon.

Sophie Hubbard and Lexxi Sparvier are new 9th grade students at Evan Hardy and were leaving their social studies class when, they say, they stepped out of the classroom, looked around the corner and saw a horrific situation unfolding.

“When we came out of the social area, we saw the girl put something in her hair and then her hair caught fire first,” Sparvier said.

“When her hair caught fire, her whole body caught fire and she started screaming. She would spin in circles and then fall to the floor and roll – the teachers would tell her to drop and roll. When she did that, she would hit her head on the lockers and the locker or the wall would catch fire,” Sparvier added.

“There was a lot of smoke. The teachers tried to pat her down to stop the fire from spreading, but for about 50 seconds the fire was still inside her,” Sparvier told 650 CKOM.

“After that, we don't know where she went. We just saw the girl lying on the ground and the smoke.”

A teacher was taken to the hospital while attempting to help the victim. His condition is unknown.

Sparvier said when the fire started, everyone paused in shock for about five seconds, and then she screamed “Fire!” and ran out with Hubbard.

“Then the fire alarms went off,” Hubbard said. “I was still in shock and then I ran back into the classroom and back outside.”

Accelerants may have been used

Sparvier said she called emergency services.

“I went to the door (and a person) held the door open and asked me to call 911. I reached into my pocket and called 911,” Sparvier said.

All emergency services were on site within five minutes, she said.

The students claim that a flammable liquid was poured over the victim from a black canister.

650 CKOM was informed that the teenager had used an accelerant, as a mere blow with a lighter would not have caused such serious injuries.

“It is information that I have received from very credible sources and that played a role in this incident. Where it came from, whether the accused brought it to school or received it there, I do not know,” said Evan Bray, host of the Evan Bray Show on 980 CJME and 650 CKOM on Friday. Bray is a former chief of the Regina Police Service.

Arrested teenager tried to escape

A 14-year-old student appeared in Saskatoon Provincial Court on Friday and was charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault and arson.

While the incident was occurring, Hubbard and Sparvier claimed, the arrested 14-year-old attempted to escape from the school.

“She tried to run away … teachers chased her while others helped the burning girl,” Hubbard said.

The students said it looked like the girl was resisting when she was taken into police custody.

Hubbard and Sparvier said they were frightened and shocked by the incident.

“I didn’t believe it was real,” Hubbard said.

“I'm still pretty shocked,” Sparvier said. “I'm especially worried about the victim because she burned herself. She didn't deserve that.”

Both students said they were a little anxious about going back to school on Tuesday, as students are expected to return to classrooms.

Advice “super important”

Cassie Roberts is Sparvier's mother and says her daughter was texting when it happened.

“I'm still trying to understand what really happened. It's unreal,” she said. “You just don't expect something like this to happen. I'm not sure how we're going to deal with it, but it's going to take a long time.”

Counseling was offered to the students at the school.

Roberts said her daughter is already going to counseling and has an appointment on Monday.

“I take the kids to therapy even if they don't want to go to talk about things,” Roberts said. “At that age, at that time, the world is a lot harder than it was for me growing up. I booked trauma therapy for her on Monday and I think that's a big deal and super important.”

Roberts doesn't yet know how she will feel when students go back to school.

“I'm wondering what's next. Where do I go from here? This was only her second day.

“Lexxi was not excited about school at all in elementary school, so having her excited about getting to high school was a big deal in our house,” Roberts said.

“We are all so proud of her, and now, on the second day of high school, this happens – what do we do now?”

“Our condolences go out to the victim”

Shane Skjerven, director of education for Saskatoon Public Schools, told reporters Friday that the school board “recognizes the seriousness of this incident and understands the strong emotions that are stirring throughout the school community.”

“The safety and well-being of our students, staff and families remains our highest priority,” he said. “We extend our deepest condolences to the victim and the entire school community during this difficult time.”

Skjerven did not answer questions from reporters.

He said the school would remain closed for classes on Monday so students could receive the counseling services they need.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) issued a statement on the incident on Friday.

“The leadership team, staff and physicians of the Saskatchewan Health Authority extend their deepest condolences to everyone involved in yesterday's incident at a Saskatoon high school,” the statement said.

“The SHA is coordinating its work with Saskatoon Public Schools and the Ministry of Education to provide on-site mental health services and counselling at school today for any students who may need support.”

– With files from Mia Holowaychuk of 650 CKOM and 650 CKOM News.

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