Devastating school fire deliberate

The blaze engulfs classrooms at Glendowie Primary School. Photo / NZPA

Fire investigators say a building at Auckland's Glendowie Primary School was deliberately burned to the ground last night.

The massive blaze ripped through a two-storey block of nine classrooms at the rear of the school and up to 20 appliances and 80 firefighters battled the blaze.

The building had no sprinkler system and the smoke could be seen from much of Auckland.

Fire safety officer Ray Coleman told NZPA that after investigating the wreckage today the fire had been designated as an arson and police would now be investigating.

"There are too many bits which aren't quite kosher within the make up of it," he said.

Mr Coleman said he could not discount the use of an accelerant as CCTV footage showed the fire spread rapidly.

However, it was difficult to determine how the fire actually started as the remains were "down to the bare earth. Absolutely totalled".

The Ministry of Education has pledged its support to the school, which has a roll of about 600.

Ministry northern regional manager Bruce Adin said the immediate priorities were to assist with investigations, assess the level of damage and determine what needs to happen to get the school ready for opening.

The school year is due to start in about four weeks.

The ministry would work closely with the principal and board to ensure the school has the classroom space and resources they need, he said.

"Fires like this can also be devastating for staff and students who have lost resources, their work and memories. We are also able to provide support services to help with this."

Emma Freeman, whose mother has a building at the school named after her, has been at the scene last night and this morning.

"The school is working very closely with the Ministry. The plan is to get some temporary structures placed onto the playing fields and have the school open with all students on the first day of school," she said.

Police spokeswoman Anne-Maree Gates-Bowey said police were talking to the local community to encourage anyone with information on the arson to contact Glen Innes CIB.

Police would not be commenting further today, she said.

- NZPA, NEWSTALK ZB