Derinya Primary School fire: arsonists on the run after two Frankston South fires
A Frankston South primary school principal has praised the resilience of her students whose classes were disrupted after arsonists set fire to one of the school’s classrooms.
South East
Don't miss out on the headlines from South East . Followed categories will be added to My News.
Arsonists who torched a Frankston South primary school classroom could be responsible for starting another fire only hours earlier.
Derinya Primary School was hit by firebugs just after 3am on Monday, February 11.
The attack on the Overport Rd school meant classes were disrupted and rearranged as both rooms sustained significant damage.
WHY FRANKSTON LIFESAVERS WANT INFLATABLE TOYS LEFT AT HOME
POLICE CRACKDOWN ON FRANKSTON CAR THIEVES
FIRE GUTS LUXURY HAWTHORN EAST MANSION
Principal Jenny Roth said the students were “dealing with it as best as they can”.
“Sometimes something bad has to happen for something good to happen, which is the resilience shown by the students,” she said.
“We’re hoping the people who set fire to the classroom receive help because they need help.”
Ms Roth praised the education department for being quick to act.
“They have been fantastic in organising repairs,” she said.
“We expect to have some classes back by Monday but will have to wait a bit longer to get the other room back because it will need to be rebuilt.”
A Frankston Criminal Investigation Unit spokesman said police were treating the fire as suspicious.
“We believe a person or persons deliberately lit the fire in the middle of the night,” the spokesman said.
“The fire caused extensive damage to the classroom, which we believe is in the thousands of dollars.”
Frankston CIU is calling for witnesses to come forward including a man who may have been walking his dog around the time of the fire.
Ms Roth said she was told the offenders who set fire to her school were also responsible for starting another fire less than 1km away.
Police were called to Overport Park about 5pm on Sunday, February 10 after reports a fire had been started in nearby bushland.
Witnesses who saw a group of teenagers leave the scene on bikes were able to put the fire out before it spread.
Police have no suspects but would like to talk to the teenagers.
Frankston CFA attended both fires.
MORE NEWS