Two men arrested after second arson attack at Heatherwood School Donvale

Two men have been arrested after a beloved special school in Donvale was targeted by arsonists for the second time in 12 months, leaving students and parents devastated.

Fire has ripped through a shed at Heatherwood School in Donvale, the second arson attack at the school in a year. Picture: David Crosling

Two men have been arrested after a beloved special school was targeted by arsonists for the second time in 12 months.

Police and fire crews were called to Heatherwood School in Donvale just after 9.30pm on Friday following reports a shed was on fire.

In a letter to families, principal Paul Hills said the horticulture shed was set on fire and all of its “contents were destroyed”.

“Last night the school grounds were broken into, and some graffiti was painted on buildings, vehicles, and signs,” he said.

“Support will be offered to any student impacted. Take care of yourselves.”

A Fire Rescue Victoria spokeswoman said upon arrival, crews found a shed at the school was alight.

“Crews quickly attacked the fire, bringing it under control by 9.44pm,” the spokeswoman said.

“Firefighters prevented the fire from spreading to an adjoining sports facility.”

Police moved quickly to arrest a 19-year-old Wodonga man and a 20-year-old Mitcham man at the scene on Friday night.

Officers also found two vehicles, belonging to the specialist school, which had their number plates covered in spray paint.

Fire crews at the scene of last year’s fire. Picture: David Crosling

A kitchen and several classrooms were also gutted by fire in another attack on the Springvale Rd school in August last year.

Several parents have told the Sunday Herald Sun the latest arson attack was yet “another blow” for the community and have called for 24-hour security at the school.

“Our children are yet again devastated by the actions of these individuals,” one mother said.

“It’s so disheartening that the students have to go through this again after last year.

“The kids are traumatised.

“Even though there are reports that it’s just a shed, most of the sheds are classrooms.”

Another mother said she was “angered” and “shocked’ about the latest incident.

“This is so upsetting for the whole school community. We have all spoken this morning and we are so upset by everything,” she said.

“To think of what we have endured as a school community last year and to now go through this is just gut-wrenching.

“Families are demanding better security, we don’t want this to ever happen again.”

A Department of Education spokeswoman said: “We are aware of a fire at Heatherwood School. Thankfully, no learning spaces have been impacted and classes will resume as usual on Monday.”

Warrandyte state Liberal MP Nicole Werner said she was “devastated” for the students and parents who are still reeling from the blaze last year.

“I have been in contact with the principal and offered my support, and have been in conversation with families from the school community,” she said.

“They have shared that it has been absolutely traumatic for their children to see this happen to their beloved school again.”

Families want better security at the school after the arson attack. Picture: David Crosling

The popular eastern suburbs special school is the only one like it in the area and the fire will leave at least 200 families without adequate schooling facilities for their children.

It caters for children who have a mild intellectual disability, including some with physical impairments.

The Herald Sun last year reported vulnerable students were being forced to use “disgusting” portaloos amid the school’s builder going into liquidation and leaving their $10m renovations in limbo.

The two men arrested have been released pending summons.

Police were on Saturday morning guarding a crime scene as arson chemists continued investigations.