School holiday arson attack on Hallett Cove South Primary School causes $500,000 damage
POLICE are investigating a suspicious fire at a southern suburbs primary school that caused about $500,000 damage.
POLICE are investigating a suspicious fire at a southern suburbs primary school that caused about $500,000 damage.
The Metropolitan Fire Service was called to the Hallett Cove South Primary School, on Livonia St, after reports it was ablaze about 11.30pm on Monday.
An MFS spokeswoman said eight appliances and 30 firefighters attended the blaze, which was well alight at the northern end of the school.
“The fire included a storage area, atrium, offices and the canteen area,” she said.
She said firefighters prevented the blaze from spreading to the adjoining hall and it took about 45 minutes to control.
Hallett Cove South Primary School principal Lyn Ferenci said she was disappointed the fire may have been a targeted attack.
“It’s really disappointed for the community and the children,” she said.
“It’s a really close-knit community so they’re going to be really disappointed that someone thought it would be okay to come and damage the school.
“We’re doing everything we can to make sure we’re up and running on Monday because the kids will need that.”
Ms Ferenci said damage was contained to the administration building and canteen and both areas would be moved to another area of the school when classes resume next week.
She also praised the emergency services for their quick response.
“We can run as normal and there’s no damage to the classrooms for students — it’s a great relief so that they can get back to normal on Monday,” she said.
Ms Ferenci said the school would support its students and staff.
Year 4 student Max and his mother Dian Tonkin visited the school on Tuesday morning to see the damage.
Max, who enjoys playing sport at the school, said his fellow students would be upset by the fire.
“Everyone would be sad,” he said.
His mother Dian said the arson attack was “terrible”.
“It’s horrible to wake up to this,” she said.
“A lot of hard work goes into this school from the parents.”
She said the fire was unfortunate considering the school was about to celebrate its 40th birthday.
“They (the students) are going to be devastated when they see it — they’re the ones who are going to suffer,” she said.
Hallett Cove resident Lyn Fabray, who lives across the road from the school, said she and her husband Peter woke up about 11.30pm on Monday after the fire took off.
“We’d been in bed for about an hour and I heard this crack,” she said.
“I sat up and I could see this yellow glow coming from the school. The building over there was all lit up yellow so we knew there was a fire over there.
“I straight away rang 000 before security rocked up.
“Within 20 minutes we had three (fire) units, police and even the dog squad out here.
“It was very, very hectic here until about 3am when they all left.
“Our bedroom was lit up like a Christmas tree because of all the lights.
“We have never seen anything like that and we’ve been here for 42 years.
“We’ve never had a fire at the school like that.
“I worked for SAPOL for 24 years and I know schools get hit a lot in school holidays but we’ve been lucky here.
“One of the police officers I spoke to last night said ... it was a busy night.
“There have been a lot of break ins there.”
Mrs Fabray said the emergency services did a good job keeping the fire under control and not once did she feel like her home was under threat.
“I didn’t think there was any need to be scared because there were police and the fire brigade everywhere,” she said.
“It was interesting to see how they all do their job and work together.
“It was different for little Livonia St to have something like that happen.”
The Hallett Cove South Primary School has about 140 students enrolled and is celebrating its 40th birthday in October.
The MFS spokeswoman said the fire caused about $500,000 damage and was being treated as suspicious.
She said no one was injured in the blaze.
Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.