By Luke Voogt
Geelong police are hunting for arsonists after a deliberately lit fire destroyed one classroom and damaged others at Newcomb Park Primary School on Tuesday night.
Principal Julie Warren described the damaged building, which housed students from prep to grade 3, as the “hub of the school”.
“Look it now,” said an emotional Ms Warren as she walked through the charred and melted ruins on Wednesday.
“This was just such a really safe place for these kids. It was our favourite building and (the fire) has taken that away from us.”
The multi-classroom hub was the home of assemblies, concerts, graduations and other whole-school activities, Ms Warren said.
“It’s devastating to our school community. But the people who support (the students) are still here and we’ll take our strength from each other.”
She said the school would involve its students in the eventual redesign and rebuilding of the hub.
“Our kids are at the centre of everything we do,” she said.
The schools’ teachers, students and parents – past and present – were at the school on Wednesday to help clean up.
“I emailed all the staff at 2am knowing they would see it on social media the next day,” Ms Warren said.
“The response of staff and parents has been outstanding. It’s really good to see how people support each other – it’s what brings us together.”
The hub’s four resident lizards and tortoise survived the blaze.
“That was our priority today – to get them out and make sure they were safe,” Ms Warren said.
The same can’t be said for the school’s stationary supplies and personal belongings which were destroyed by the fire.
“There’ll be lots of things we won’t be able to replace,” Ms Warren said.
Earlier on Wednesday arson detectives investigated the site.
Geelong Detective Senior Constable John McKinnon said the fire began between 10pm and 11pm on Tuesday when a couch next to the building was deliberately set alight.
“It’s gone up the wall and probably hit the internal panels, and then taken off inside,” he said.
Four trucks from Geelong Fire Brigade and one from Leopold responded and their crews took 90 minutes to extinguish the flames.
Det Sen Const McKinnon said the fire had caused at least $500,000 damage.
“It’s senseless vandalism,” he said.
“It’s disappointing for the kids that are starting school next week.”
Det Sen Const McKinnon urged anyone with information on the fire to phone him at Geelong Police Station on 5225 3166 or to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Ms Warren said the school would post details on its Facebook page for anyone who wanted to support its recovery efforts.
