Blaze engulfs building at former Oberon High School, three teens charged

Three teenagers have been charged over a fire that left a building destroyed at the former site of a high school at Belmont this week.

Three teenagers have been charged over the fire at the former Oberon High School site on Monday.

Firefighters were called to the Pickett Cres site about 1.35am on Monday after a witness called triple-0 to report a blaze.

A Fire Rescue Victoria spokeswoman said crews arrived to find a 10m by 40m building fully alight.

Fire at Belmont

Police spent much of Tuesday scouring the scene for evidence after the fire was deemed suspicious.

Crime Investigation Unit detectives arrested a 14-year-old boy, a 15-year-old boy and a 16-year-old boy at their homes on Wednesday.

They have been charged with burglary and arson.

All three teens have been bailed to appear at a Children’s Court at a later date.

Blaze engulfs building at former Oberon High School

Police are probing a suspicious fire at the former Oberon High School site in Belmont.

Firefighters were called to a building fire at the Pickett Crescent site about 1.35am on Monday.

A Fire Rescue Victoria spokeswoman said the blaze was called in by a witness.

She said FRV and CFA crews arrived at the scene within six minutes to find a 10m by 40m building fully alight.

“Wearing breathing apparatus, firefighters worked to attack the fire and prevent it from spreading throughout the property,” she said.

The fire was brought under control at 3.55am and crews remained on scene for some time to monitor for hot spots and make the scene safe.

Police are probing a suspicious fire at the former Oberon High School site in Belmont. . Picture: Alison Wynd

“Ambulance Victoria attended for firefighter welfare,” the spokeswoman said.

“The fire is being treated as suspicious, and the incident has been handed over to Victoria Police.”

Victoria Police spokesman Sam Bidey said the exact circumstances of the fire are yet to be determined and the investigation is ongoing.

Police guard the scene of a fire at the former Oberon High School site. Picture: Alison Wynd

Oberon High School moved from the Belmont site to a new Armstrong Creek site at the start of 2021.

A Department of Education and Training spokeswoman said the site was no longer used by the school.

“Emergency services attended the site and the fire was brought under control.”

The closed site is due to be demolished these school holidays. The library and the gym at the school will be refurbished and will become part of Wangala Primary School. These buildings were not damaged by the blaze.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report at crimestoppersvic.com.au.

Originally published as Blaze engulfs building at former Oberon High School, three teens charged