An arson attack has damaged a childcare centre on Sydney’s upper north shore, as police launch a manhunt for the perpetrators.
Alarms sounded at Turramurra’s Play to Learn Early Learning Centre about 4.10am and the internal sprinkler system was activated. A passerby called emergency services to the scene soon afterwards.
A childcare centre in Turramurra was targeted in an arson attack overnight.Credit: Janie Barrett
Fire and Rescue NSW arrived at the Finlay Road address shortly afterwards, finding the ground floor foyer and some exterior parts of the building ablaze. The fire had been extinguished by 4.25am.
There were signs of a break-in at the back of the building and the use of accelerant, Nine’s Today reported. A crime scene was established, and the incident was declared suspicious.
The motive for the attack remains unclear.
Speaking to Today, Play to Learn head of operations Jemma Quinlan said she had “absolutely no idea” why the centre was targeted.
Play to Learn Head of Operations Jemma Quinlan.Credit: Nine News
“I can’t even comprehend why someone would even do this to a childcare centre,” she said.
“There’s been no threats. There’s been nothing.”
Quinlan said the business, which originated on the Central Coast and now has two centres in Sydney, had been operating for 19 years and had never seen anything like this. The Turramurra centre opened only six weeks ago.
“[We’re] a centre and a company that’s purely just trying to ... serve the community, and be here for the children and families,” she said.
The centre will remain closed today, and Quinlan said her first priority was to look after the families who were booked to attend the centre.
A crime scene has been established at Play to Learn Early Learning Centre on Finlay Road in Turramurra.Credit: Janie Barrett
The building sustained only minor damage, mostly caused by smoke and water sprinklers. No one was inside at the time of the attack.
The building is fitted with CCTV cameras throughout, and police are now trawling through the footage.
“At this stage, the cause of the fire is under investigation, and we will be working with NSW Police today to investigate the cause of that fire,” said Fire and Rescue acting superintendent Mat Sigmund.