Walgett school fire: Crime scene on Wareena St after blaze

A tight-knit community has been left “devastated” after overnight fire destroyed two school buildings, with the cause of the suspicious blaze being investigated.

Wareena St Walgett, where a fire took place overnight.

A small town in the state’s northwest has been left “devastated” after two buildings have been destroyed during a “suspicious” fire at a local primary school.

Emergency services were called to Walgett Community College Primary School just before 11pm on Monday night, where a school hall and an Aboriginal preschool were “deliberately” lit.

Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Adam Dewberry confirmed one building was alight when emergency services arrived before the second building was lit across the school oval.

Fire and Rescue NSWPicture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles

Crews battled the fire until 4am but could not save either building.

Police established a crime scene and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the blaze is ongoing.

Wallget Shire Council deputy mayor Greg Rummery said the community is “devastated” by the news after experiencing their only supermarket being destroyed by fire in 2019.

Walgett Shire Council deputy mayor Greg Rummery. Photo: Walgett Shire Council

“I can only imagine what the impact that’s going to have on families and on the community of people that use those services,” Mr Rummery told The Dubbo News.

“It’s devastating - supermarkets, primary schools, preschools - they are key parts of the community’s infrastructure and so to lose them like that is devastating.

“If it was deliberately lit than that’s a terrible act of arson in our community and it speaks to a bigger issue that somewhere on the journey, we have to get their head around and sought out.

“Let’s hope the community stands up and holds together but a part of that is going to be how the state government will be across this and put temporary measures in place and how services will still be offered.”

A Department of Education spokeswoman has confirmed the school is closed today and have contacted the community about today’s learning arrangements.