Arsonist targets second Play to Learn childcare centre in four days as police probe for links

Police are investigating whether two fires at childcare centres run by the same company are linked, after two firebombing attacks in four days.

The Play to Learn Early Learning childcare centre in Castle Hill was targeted by arsonists overnight. Picture: Gaye Gerard

Police are looking at a potential link to last Friday’s fire, involving the same childcare company, as they investigate what caused Monday mornings firebombing.

Detective Superintendent Naomi Moore said the arson squad would lead the investigation after believing there was a good chance of a link between both incidents.

“Of course,” Supt Moore said on the possibility of fire’s being related.

“That’s why the arson squad will take carriage of this because there are two locations that could have some potential link.”

Despite still investing, Supt Moore also believes this fire bombing involved multiple people, who were able to gain access to the property through a rear entrance.

“There was entry forced at the rear of the premises, and the fire was started in one of the rear rooms,” she said.

Monday’s firebombing was on a childcare centre in Sydney’s northwest.

Emergency services were called to the Play to Learn childcare centre on Excelsior Ave in Castle Hill shortly before 1.30am following reports of a fire.

Firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze, with minor damage reported to the building. No injuries have been reported.

Police on-scene at the childcare centre in Castle Hill. Picture: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

The centre is part of the Play To Learn childcare chain, the same company targeted in a similar suspected arson attack just four days earlier in Turramurra.

Ravi, a resident living directly opposite the childcare centre and father of two, told NewsWire that this was the “first time” anything like this had happened on what he described as a “safe” and “quiet” street.

Just four days ago a suspicious fire was lit in the Play to Learn childcare centre in Turramurra. Picture: Thomas Lisson

“It’s kind of scary for us and we’re thinking now how to make it that we have enough security cameras in our house to … keep it safe,” he said.

“We’re just opposite the childcare centre.”

Ravi said the facility, which has only been operating for a “few months”, had faced community opposition before it officially opened.

The Castle Hill local said he was “part of” the group against the childcare centre, but said he “couldn’t do much” about it.

However, now his main concern is the centre’s security.

“We thought it would be safer (with the) childcare around, now it’s the other way around and we have to make sure the childcare is safe,” he said.

Anyone with information in relation to the incident are urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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Originally published as Arsonist targets second Play to Learn childcare centre in four days as police probe for links