Mairehau High fire prompts arson inquiry

Press, 25 August 1986, Page 9

Mairehau High fire prompts arson inquiry

Fire broke out at Mairehau High School yesterday afternoon, damaging a classroom block which has been the target of burglars in recent weeks.

Two firemen were injured fighting the blaze, which was first seen at the school, in Hills Road, about 1.40 p.m.

One of the firemen suffered a minor injury to a hand, and the other injured his back and will be off work for a week.

Fire-safety officers are investigating the cause of the blaze, which caused moderate damage to the eight-room Archer block.

Two rooms in the centre of the two-storey block were more seriously damaged, while the other classrooms suffered smoke and water damage. “We are suspicious about the fire,” said the chairman of the school’s board of governors, Mrs Beth Davies.

“The building has been broken into the two previous week-ends. It is quite likely the same thing.” The school’s acting principal, Mr Raymond Shave, also mentioned that the building had been burgled previously. He would not speculate on whether the fire was arson.

Mr Shave had no estimate last evening of the cost of damage. He will meet today officials of the Education Department and the Ministry of Works and Development to discuss repairs. The effect of the fire on pupils will not be felt for another three weeks; as the school broke up for the August holidays on Friday.

The fire started in a room used for storage and where chemical experiments have been made. It is beside a science room.

A teacher who went to the fire yesterday also

said that the block had proved a security problem.

Burglars had entered classrooms there in search of video recorders, computers, and other electronic equipment.

The alarm was raised yesterday afternoon by Mr Don Eade, vice-chair-man of the school’s board of governors. He lives near the school and saw the flames about 1.40 p.m.

The fire had a strong hold when firemen arrived. Six engines, including two specialist pumps, were sent to the school. “The windows were cracking and flames were leaping off the roof,” said one onlooker. “The firemen did well to save the block.”

A big crowd gathered in the school grounds as firemen fought the blaze.

One engine remained at the school last evening to watch for “hot spots.”