Giraween Primary School locked down after cracker starts fire

A Top End school has been forced into lockdown after an incident reportedly involving a fire cracker. Read what happened.

A firecracker is being blamed for a fire that forced Giraween Primary School into lockdown on Thursday and the cancellation of their school fete.

The Education Department confirmed late Thursday that a fire outside the school’s perimeter fence forced the school into lockdown.

The department did not confirm the length of time the school was in lockdown but the NT News understands it was for several hours.

Students were upset that the lockdown forced the cancellation of the shool fete, which had to be rescheduled to Friday.

An eye-witness said the fire was started by a motorist who threw a cracker out of a vehicle window while driving.

An Education Department spokesman said the fire occurred on a firebreak, without confirming the duration of the blaze or lockdown or revealing what caused the fire.

“The school was locked down as a precaution while NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services attended,” he said.

“After the lockdown, students and staff remained in the buildings throughout the day to avoid smoky conditions.

“There was no damage to buildings and there were no injuries.”

NT Police were contacted for comment.

Originally published as Giraween Primary School locked down after cracker starts fire