Police

By Callan Date
A DELIBERATELY lit fire at a Narre Warren school caused about $200,000 damage to two classrooms last Sunday night.
Devastated Fountain Gate Primary School students will return from their holidays to find a whole term of class work destroyed by the blaze that was started about 6.30pm.
Several computers, books, learning materials as well as student and staff personal belongings were also burnt during the fire.
Principal Jennifer Duggan said the blaze was a major setback for the whole school community.
“Both classrooms will need to be replaced,” Ms Duggan said.
“They were two general purpose classrooms and almost everything has been destroyed.”
The fire was started outside the school building but quickly spread through the roof and walls of the classrooms, police said.
“It could have been a lot worse. If it had not been for the quick response from the CFA there could have been a lot more damage,” she said.
Ms Duggan said the children had put in a huge effort to decorate their classroom with colourful artwork and compile a code of cooperation – all of which has been destroyed.
“They spent several weeks establishing a learning environment that enables them to fulfil their potential.
“They had done a mission and vision statement and had really worked out exactly what they wanted to achieve,” Ms Duggan said.
On a brighter note, the majority of the students’ personal records were saved along with other equipment that had been placed in storage over the school holidays.
The 550 students will return to school as normal when holidays finish next week with the affected children set to be accommodated by temporary classrooms, Ms Duggan said.
She said the strong school spirit was already evident with about 10 teachers returning from their holidays to help salvage what they could from the ashes.
“It is a fantastic community here and they will be right behind the school.
“Everyone will pull together and help each other out,” she said.
Narre Warren CFA First Lieutenant David Beards said it was tough seeing student belongings and other school materials go up in flames in a deliberately lit fire.
“It’s a major cost to the kids, their families and the community,” First Lt Beards said.
“That’s the disappointing part, the fact that it was deliberately lit.”
Hallam CFA crews assisted Narre Warren CFA with the fire that took about two-and-a-half hours to fully contain.
Police have released images of three boys they would like to speak to in relation to the fire.
The boys, aged between 12 and 15, were riding their bikes in the vicinity of the school at the time of the blaze.
They are all described as having dark hair and a thin build.
Anyone with information about the fire is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.