Cosgrove High School closing doors to students following shock blaze
The razed building at Cosgrove High School has been demolished this afternoon, with a photograph showing just how close the fire came to spreading to other classrooms. LATEST >>
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THE razed building at Cosgrove High School has been demolished this afternoon, with a photograph showing just how close the fire came to spreading to other buildings.
The high school will be closed for at least two weeks and its students will study at a nearby college after fire destroyed classrooms causing an estimated $2m in damages.
A 15-year-old male and a 17-year old female were on Monday charged by police with arson relating to the high school blaze, which broke out about 8pm on Saturday.
The fire destroyed the school’s B block, which housed five Years 9 and 10 classrooms and staff offices.
Most of the active burning occurred in the office area then through the roof, however the whole block is smoke and water affected.
Fire investigations, which determined the fire to be deliberately lit, estimated damage to buildings and contents to be up to $2m.
The state’s Education Department said the school would be closed for two weeks while substantial safety work was undertaken.
From Thursday, students will attend Claremont College for at least two weeks.
If it is considered safe to do so, Cosgrove High could reopen before then, an Education spokesman said.
“The school has worked quickly to ensure that the impact on student learning is as reduced as possible,” an Education spokesman said.
“They will continue to communicate with the school community as they work towards returning students back to the Cosgrove High School site.
“The school has been overwhelmed by the community support following the fire, and would also like to acknowledge the support provided by staff at Claremont College.”
Cosgrove High staff will also relocate with the students to the college.
Planning is under way to ensure end of school year celebrations can still go ahead.
Public schools are due to finish Term 4 on December 17.
UPDATE, 8.45AM MONDAY:
Detectives from Glenorchy CIB have charged a 15-year-old male and 17-year-old female with arson over the Cosgrove High School fire on Saturday night.
Tasmania Police say investigations conducted by Tasmania Fire Scene examiners determined the fire to be deliberately lit, which caused extensive damage to one of the school buildings.
Tasmania Fire Service investigators estimate the damage to the building and contents to be up to $2 million.
While charges have been laid, police would still like to speak to anyone who has information in relation to the incident or observed suspicious activity in the area.
Information can be provided to Tasmania Police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000.
EARLIER:
STUDENTS have been told not to attend school on Monday as emergency services continue to investigate a shock blaze at Cosgrove High School on Saturday night.
Tasmania Police said an area at Cosgrove High School was “well alight” by time emergency services attended the scene on Main Road, Glenorchy, about 8pm.
The fire was contained to one building but a significant amount of damage was caused to the section of the school.
Investigations are ongoing.
In a post to Facebook on Sunday morning, the school confirmed that the school would be closed on Monday to ensure the safety of staff and students.
The Mercury understands the damaged building contained asbestos.
“We have a number of professionals on site today and they are advising us on what we need to do,” they said.
On a social media post on Saturday night, principal Andrew Woodham said the fire was devastating news for the entire school community.
“One block is damaged; we’re not sure to what extent yet,” he said.
He said on Sunday there would be more investigations, an assessment of damage and that staff would soon be in a better position to answer any questions.
“This will be a week where we all need to support each other and our core value of resilience will be on display,” he said.
Opposition education spokesman Josh Willie said he was thinking of students, parents and staff.
“What a challenging year for education,” he said.
“Best wishes to Mr Woodham and the school community as you work through this.”
The Tasmanian Association of State School Organisations also expressed their sympathies.
“Under what can only be imagined as a trying time for the whole school community of Cosgrove HS, the principal Mr Woodham has managed to communicate succinctly, with understanding, guidance and support,” they said.
“Well done Mr Woodham. Together you will get through.”
Glenorchy mayor Kristie Johnson urged the school to reach out if there was anything they could do to support the school community.
“Thinking of you all today. Stay safe,” she said.
Anyone with information relating to the fire or any suspicious activity in the area on Saturday night is urged to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at crimestopperstas.com.au.
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