East Vancouver’s New Star Books recovering after suspected arson

New Star Books publisher Rolf Maurer is optimistic the publishing house will recover after its East Vancouver office was significantly damaged in a suspected arson attack.

Police said the suspicious blaze was reported early on the morning of March 7 at the company headquarters in the 3400 block of Commercial Street near East 18th Avenue.

The office suffered extensive damage from water, smoke, and fire. However, company computers are still working and most of the book inventory was safely stored in a Richmond warehouse.

The fire in the rear of the office was quickly contained and no injuries were reported.

Police believe the blaze was set deliberately and the arson unit is investigating, according to a news release.

Maurer said the cost of the damage—likely in the tens of thousands of dollars—will be covered by insurance.

“It’s not going to disrupt us to the point of putting us out of business. It’s a mild setback is what I would call it,” he told the Straight by phone.

Maurer does not suspect the company was targeted by an arsonist over the material it prints—mainly titles on politics, local history, and culture, as well as works of poetry and fiction.

“I have to be honest, we haven’t published that much recently that would cause this amount of outrage,” he said.

Established in 1970, New Star Books has published works by numerous literary and nonfiction writers, including poet George Bowering, academic Noam Chomsky, and novelist Elizabeth Hay.

Maurer said friends of New Star Books responded to news of the fire with a mix of concern, anger, and offers of support. Cleanup is underway at the office.