GUELPH, Ontario, Canada — A 20-year-old Guelph University student sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries on Saturday after he live-streamed his apparent suicide attempt on a video-sharing Web site.
The video shows the male student moving around his dorm room, reports CTV News. After about eight minutes, flames are seen in the room. Approximately 12 minutes later, first responders arrive at the dorm room.
On Sunday, the school released the following statement about the incident:
The University of Guelph has learned that the fire Saturday night in a residence room in Dundas Hall, East Residence, was deliberately set by a student in his room. The 20-year-old male student was injured and admitted to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Police continue to investigate.
The fire was reported at 7:40 p.m. and Guelph Fire, Guelph-Wellington emergency medical services, Campus Community Police and Guelph Police responded.
The fire was extinguished by the Guelph Fire Department. Two staff members were also taken to hospital and released.
The fire and damage were confined to the injured student’s room. As a precaution, about 30 U of G students were relocated to temporary accommodations Saturday night.
University officials met with affected students and residence life staff several times this weekend.
The University is aware that there is disturbing social media activity circulating about this incident and is urging people not to watch or distribute this hurtful material.
U of G would like to remind its community members that counselling services are always available to assist students and employees, especially during times of distress.
The following services are available on campus:
- Student Counselling Services, Ext. 53244
- Student Health Services, Ext 52131
- Employee Assistance Program for faculty and staff, Ext. 52133
- Multi-Faith Resource Team, Ext. 52390
- Student Support Network, Raithby House, drop-in support available until 8 p.m.
- Good2Talk, Ontario’s post-secondary student support network, 1-866-925-5454
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