Sandringham Primary School gutted by fire

Fire tore through Sandringham Primary School in Melbourne’s bayside area the day after students returned for the start of a new school year.

Fire crews battled to contain a blaze at Sandringham Primary School.

Six teens have been questioned over a fire at Sandringham Primary School.

Moorabbin Crime Investigation Unit detectives arrested the teenagers following the suspicious blaze on Saturday morning.

The fire caused major damage to a number of buildings at the Bamfield St school about 4am.

Fire tore through Sandringham Primary School last night.

Fire has torn through Sandringham Primary School.

About 40 firefighters, including two aerial units worked overnight to bring the blaze under control.

The youths handed themselves in to a police station nearby this morning and were arrested.

They were interviewed in relation to arson-related offences.

Sandringham Primary School is still standing after the blaze.

The roof collapsed during the fire. Picture: Sarah Matray

The 13-year-olds - two girls from Highett, a girl from Sandringham, two boys from Sandringham and a boy from Hampton - were released pending further inquiries.

The investigation remains ongoing.

A fire has ripped through the old school building at Sandringham Primary School. Picture: Sarah Matray

The school will hold a meeting off-site tomorrow with students expected to be temporarily located elsewhere as arrangements were worked out.

“We are working with emergency services to make the building safe and to assess the damage,’’ an Education Department spokeswoman said.

“As soon as this has occurred, we’ll determine the next steps to ensure students at the school can continue their education.

“We will work with the community to rebuild the affected areas and will keep them informed every step of the way.”

Support services, including counselling, were being made available.

Neighbour Theo Thompson said he saw the library on fire and the roof had caved in.

“Being a hot night we had all the windows open,” he said.

“We woke up to sirens and breathing in thick smoke.

“The police were wearing masks and had cordoned off surrounding streets because there may have been asbestos.”

Fire crews out the front of Sandringham Primary School.

The blaze destroyed the interior of the school. Picture: Sarah Matray

Teachers, parents and students were visibly upset as they gathered outside the school this morning.

Firefighters warned passers by to keep a safe distance from the site of the fire due to asbestos in the building.

A spokesperson for the MFB confirmed that they had handed over the investigation to the police.

It is not yet known if the circumstances surrounding the fire are suspicious.

Sandringham Primary School students returned for the start of term one on Friday morning.

Local kids Zoe and Lenny bring out snacks to the firies outside Sandringham Primary School.

Firefighters worked through the night to contain the blaze.

The bayside primary school has been in operation for 165 years, and welcomed a new principal at the start of the new school year.

It comes after a Gippsland primary school was destroyed by fire on the first day of school earlier this week.

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Cowwarr Primary School burnt to the ground on Wednesday, just hours after students returned to school.

The main building, library and amenities were all destroyed by the flames.

Anyone who witnessed the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at crimestoppersvic.com.au.