Classrooms gutted at primary school

A devastating fire at a primary school has gutted two classrooms, which were both well alight by the time appliances arrived

Fire Service communications manager Steve Smith said first word of the blaze at Kaitaia Primary came in about 9.30pm.

He said initially it was thought trees in the school field were on fire.

But he said when the trucks arrived they found two of the classrooms were well alight.

Mr Smith said they fought the fire for two or three hours and managed to limit the damage to two rooms in a block of five.

Police have cordoned off the area.

They say they do not yet know what caused the blaze.

Just last week a gas explosion at Kaitaia College destroyed the metalwork room, leaving the teacher and half a dozen students seriously injured.

- NEWSTALK ZB